Relatives of a 74-year-old female facing charges in the armed robbery of an Ohio credit union last week claim she fell victim to an online scam while trying to deal with her financial challenges.
74-Year-Old Woman Arrested for Armed Robbery
Ann Mayers, with no prior criminal record, is accused of aggravated robbery with a firearm and tampering with evidence in the incident in Fairfield Township, near Cincinnati, last Friday.
Currently held on a $100,000 bond, she awaits her initial court appearance without legal representation listed in court records.
Police arrested Mayers at her Hamilton residence shortly after the robbery, seizing a handgun from her car, which they allege was used in the crime.
Investigators are now exploring the possibility that Mayers was indeed deceived by a scam, as suggested by her relatives. They revealed that she had been sending money to an unknown individual, potentially rendering her a victim herself.
However, Sergeant Brandon McCroskey expressed a grim reality, stating that while Mayers may be seen as a victim in one aspect, her decision to commit armed robbery victimized several others at the bank.
McCroskey described the situation as deeply regrettable if Mayers' relatives' accounts prove accurate, highlighting the rising prevalence of scams targeting seniors over the past decade or so.
These scams exploit seniors' familial instincts, often leveraging personal information available online to lend credibility to fraudulent calls.
This narrative underscores the tragic consequences of such schemes, as evidenced by a recent incident in Ohio where an 81-year-old man was charged with murder for fatally shooting an Uber driver.
Believing she was involved in a scam seeking $12,000 in bond money for a relative, the man acted under the misconception that the driver was part of the fraudulent operation, illustrating the devastating impact these scams can have on both victims and unintended targets alike.
Police Says Suspect Is Victim of Online Scam
Ann Mayers reportedly entered AurGroup Credit Union on April 19, allegedly demanding money at gunpoint, as detailed by the Fairfield Township Police Department.
Police were alerted to the scene at 1:29 p.m. local time and subsequently shared images of the incident online to aid in the identification of suspects.
The police department stated that Mayers confessed to the crime. While lacking a criminal record, Mayers had allegedly fallen victim to an online scam, losing thousands of dollars and owing money to acquaintances, according to Fairfield Township police Sergeant Brandon McCroskey.
However, the specifics of the scam were not disclosed. McCroskey mentioned that Mayers' sister had suspicions about her involvement in an online scam, although this has not been confirmed by police.
McCroskey recounted that Mayers admitted to taking only $500 from the credit union and had previously discussed robbing a bank with her sister.
Mayers was found in possession of her 2014 silver Hyundai Elantra, which she had driven during the robbery. Evidence, including a loaded handgun, was recovered from her home.
Mayers faces charges of enraged robbery with a firearm and tampering with proof, both first-degree felonies. She was booked into Butler County Jail shortly after 7 p.m. local time on April 19 and remains in detention on $100,000 bail, according to online records.
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