In a surprising turn of events, a 74-year-old Ohio woman, Ann Mayers, found herself at the center of a bank robbery investigation after allegedly being scammed out of her savings online.
According to Fairfield Township Police Department (FTPD), Mayers confessed to robbing the AurGroup Financial Credit Union Bank at gunpoint in a desperate attempt to secure cash. Bodycam footage from her arrest captured her immediate admission to the crime.
Mayers, facing charges of aggravated robbery with a deadly weapon and tampering with evidence, allegedly disposed of her clothing post-robbery. The police report indicates that she made off with $500 from the heist.
Sgt. Brandon McCroskey of the FTPD revealed that Mayers had fallen victim to an online scammer, compounding her financial woes. Additionally, she owed significant sums of money to her sister and a friend, further exacerbating her financial distress.
Despite allegedly disclosing her plan to family members beforehand, they did not take her seriously. McCroskey noted that Mayers’ actions demonstrated premeditation, as she altered her car’s appearance to evade identification.
Currently in custody at Butler County Jail, Mayers awaits her court appearance. She has applied for indigent status, citing an inability to afford legal representation. The case highlights the susceptibility of individuals, regardless of age, to online scams and the dire consequences that may ensue.