86-year-old woman charged in bank robbery

PHILADELPHIA, Pa. (WTXF) - Police say an 86-year-old woman has been charged in connection with a bank robbery in West Philadelphia.

Emily Coakley is charged with aggravated assault, robbery, VUFA, terroristic threats and related offenses, according to police. She was released on her own recognizance.

Surrounded by police and pushing a walker, an 86-year-old woman was escorted out of the TD Bank at 38th and Market Tuesday evening and placed in handcuffs in what can only be described as a bizarre bank robbery attempt.

"That's crazy. It's mind blowing," one bank customer told FOX 29.

"That's pretty unusual. I never heard of a bank robber that age and armed," John McDonald said as he walked by police outside the bank.

Police say the elderly woman went into the West Philadelphia bank just after 2 p.m with her walker, pulled out a revolver and demanded $400 from the tellers behind the counter. Penn police quickly arrived and arrested her.

"With a gun, yeah they should charge her," a customer told FOX 29.

"I'm concerned. I mean 86 or 26, she had a gun," bank customer Will Duggan said.

Sources say the woman came to the bank on Monday to make a withdrawal. When she got home she thought the bank had shorted her $400. She returned to the bank Tuesday afternoon and demanded the rest of her money. Her family showed up while she was being held at the bank and tried to console her. Bank customers weren't so forgiving.

"Someone could have got shot even accidentally. You have to have concerns. People bring their kids here," Duggan added.

"I doubt this is going to be a repeat event," McDonald said.

FBI agents examined the .38 caliber revolver. Police say the gun was not loaded but there were bullets in her bag. Agents confiscated the money and questioned bank employees. But just before 6 p.m., she was cuffed and taken away, leaving customers shaking their heads.