Woman, 74, who robbed bank may have been scam victim, family says

A 74-year-old female who allegedly attempted to rob an Ohio in installments national whitethorn person been nan unfortunate of an online scam, according to her family.  

Ann Mayers entered AurGroup Credit Union connected April 19 and "demanded money while displaying a handgun," nan Fairfield Township Police Department said successful a news release. Images released by constabulary show Mayers successful nan slope wearing a acheronian grey sweater and ray grey sweatpants, a patterned look disguise and glasses.  

Police were called to nan segment astatine 1:29 p.m. section time. They shared photos of nan robbery online to thief find suspects. It's not clear really they identified Mayers arsenic a suspect. 

Police recovered Mayers astatine her location successful Hamilton, Ohio, and arrested her astatine 3 p.m., according to online records. 

Mayers admitted to nan crime, nan constabulary section said. While she had nary known criminal history, Fairfield Township constabulary Sgt. Brandon McCroskey told CBS News connection WKRC that she had precocious been scammed retired of thousands of dollars successful an online scam and owed money to family and friends. McCroskey did not disclose nan quality of nan scam. McCrosky later told CBS News that Mayers' sister "suspects" that Mayers was being scammed online, but said constabulary person "not confirmed that." 

Ann Mayers enters nan AurGroup Credit Union. Fairfield Township Police Department

"I deliberation she told maine she stole a candy barroom once, but different than that she's ne'er stolen anything. Said she doesn't cognize why she did it, conscionable retired of desperation," McCroskey told WKRC. 

McCroskey told WKRC that nan 74-year-old took conscionable $500 from nan in installments union. She had precocious talked to her sister astir robbing a bank, he said. 

"I don't deliberation her sister really thought she was serious," McCroskey said. 

At nan location was Mayers' 2014 metallic Hyundai Elantra, which she had been driving during nan robbery. McCroskey said that Mayers had taken nan licence sheet disconnected her car, and had tried to region a bumper sticker from nan vehicle. Police recovered grounds from nan home, including a handgun that was successful nan car. McCroskey told WKRC nan limb was loaded. 

Mayers has been charged pinch aggravated robbery pinch a firearm and tampering pinch evidence. The first complaint is simply a first-degree felony, according to nan constabulary department. She was booked into nan Butler County Jail soon aft 7 p.m. section clip connected April 19, according to online records. 

She remains held connected $100,000 bail, according to online records. 

In:
• Armed Robbery
• Bank Robbery
• Ohio
• Robbery
• Crime