Ohio. Elderly woman turns bank robber to pay off scam-induced debts
A 74-year-old, driven by desperation, robbed the AurGroup Financial Credit Union Bank in Fairfield Township, Ohio, making off with $500. This act uncovered a deeper story: she was a criminal and a victim of a crime.
On April 19, the elderly woman entered the AurGroup Financial Credit Union Bank and demanded the cashier hand over the cash while brandishing a weapon. Upon the police's arrival at her residence, where a silver 2014 Hyundai Elantra was spotted—the vehicle used to flee the scene—the woman promptly admitted to the robbery.
Fairfield County Police Sergeant Brandon McCroskey revealed that the woman's criminal actions may have been spurred by her own victimhood in a separate crime.
The woman's descent into debt due to a scam
"It seems the woman was entangled in online communications with individuals who ultimately scammed her" Sgt. McCroskey explained. According to her family, the 74-year-old was recently deceived by someone claiming to need money for American customs. "Regrettably, such scenarios are all too common, especially with older individuals being conned out of substantial sums. It appears this was the case here."
The woman resorted to borrowing from her family and friends to transfer funds to the scammer. She owed $5,000 to her sister and $65,000 to a friend. The bank robbery was her drastic solution to addressing these overwhelming debts.
"From one perspective, this frames her as a victim," McCroskey commented in an interview with USA Today. However, regardless of her circumstances, the fact remains that she committed a felony.
Should the charges hold, she could be looking at up to 15 years in prison. Currently held in Butler County Jail, her freedom hinges on a $100,000 bail.
