74-year-old suspected bank robber possibly a scam victim, police sergeant says

FAIRFIELD TOWNSHIP, Ohio (WXIX/Gray News) - A 74-year-old woman accused of robbing an Ohio bank at gunpoint may have been a victim of online scammers, according to a police sergeant.

Fairfield Township Police Sgt. Brandon McCroskey says 74-year-old Ann Mayers could very well have been a victim before she became a suspect in a Friday bank robbery, WXIX reports.

“Definitely not a typical demographic you would expect to be robbing a bank,” McCroskey said.

Mayers did not have a criminal history until police say she robbed AurGroup Credit Union last week. She allegedly walked into the bank with a gun and demanded money from employees. Police say she received $500, which was later recovered.

Police body camera footage shows officers arrive at Mayers’ home just hours after the robbery. The 74-year-old remained calm and cooperative as police confirmed a 2014 Hyundai Elantra in her driveway was the same one she allegedly used to leave the bank.

Police say a handgun was found in the car.

Mayers was taken into custody without incident. Police say she admitted to the robbery after she was arrested, as captured on bodycam footage.

Mayers: “I did whatever you’re here for.”

Officer: “What would that be?”

Mayers: “Robbery.”

McCroskey says it appears Mayers was facing financial hardship and wasn’t the only one believed to be trying to steal money.

“Seems as though, the way I understand it, she’d been communicating with some people online who may have been scamming her,” McCroskey said. “A very common theme, unfortunately, and tragically, we see a lot of that with elderly victims who are being scammed out of large amounts of money. It seems like that very well could be the case here.”

Police say Mayers is charged with aggravated robbery with a firearm and tampering with evidence. If she is found guilty, she could face 10 to 15 years in jail, according to McCroskey.