A 74-year-old woman who allegedly attempted to rob an Ohio credit union may have been the victim of an online scam, according to her family.
Ann Mayers entered AurGroup Credit Union on April 19 and "demanded money while displaying a handgun," the Fairfield Township Police Department said in a news release. Images released by police show Mayers in the bank wearing a dark gray sweater and light gray sweatpants, a patterned face mask and glasses.
Police were called to the scene at 1:29 p.m. local time. They shared photos of the robbery online to help find suspects. It's not clear how they identified Mayers as a suspect.
Police found Mayers at her home in Hamilton, Ohio, and arrested her at 3 p.m., according to online records.
Mayers confessed to the crime, according to the police department. Despite having no prior criminal record, Fairfield Township police Sgt. Brandon McCroskey revealed to CBS News affiliate WKRC that she had fallen victim to an online scam and was in debt to her family and friends. The nature of the scam was not disclosed by McCroskey. He later mentioned that Mayers' sister had suspicions that she was being scammed online, although the police had not confirmed this.
"I think she told me she stole a candy bar once, but other than that she's never stolen anything. Said she doesn't know why she did it, just out of desperation," McCroskey told WKRC.
McCroskey informed WKRC that the 74-year-old woman only took $500 from the credit union. He mentioned that she had recently discussed the idea of robbing a bank with her sister.
"I don't think her sister really thought she was serious," McCroskey said.
At her residence, Mayers' 2014 silver Hyundai Elantra was found, the vehicle she used during the robbery. McCroskey stated that she had removed the license plate from her car and attempted to take off a bumper sticker. Evidence, including a loaded handgun found in the car, was recovered by the police from her home. Mayers has been charged with aggravated robbery with a firearm and tampering with evidence, with the former being a first-degree felony as per the police department. She was taken into custody at the Butler County Jail around 7 p.m. local time on April 19, as indicated by online records.
According to online records, she is currently being held on $100,000 bail.
