In a Nutshell:
- A 78-year-old woman, Bonnie Gooch, robbed a bank in Missouri with an apology note and a demand for $13,000 in small bills.
- Gooch was caught on surveillance footage wearing plastic gloves, an N95 mask, and sunglasses, and made a quick getaway in a Buick Enclave with handicap registration.
- This was not Gooch’s first bank robbery, as she had previous convictions in California and Missouri, leaving authorities puzzled about her motives and mental state.
Hey there, fellow weird news enthusiasts! Here’s another mind-boggling tale that will leave you scratching your head and wondering, “Did that really happen?” Brace yourselves, folks, because this one is a doozy.
So, picture this: a bank robbery. Pretty common, right? But hold on to your hats, because this ain’t your typical heist. No ski masks or guns here. Instead, we have a sweet, little old lady dressed all in gray, rocking plastic gloves, a black N95 mask, and black sunglasses. Talk about a fashion-forward criminal!
According to reports from the Pleasant Hill Police in Missouri, 78-year-old Bonnie Gooch strolled into the Goppert Financial Bank with a note that read, ” … is a robbery I need 13,000 small bills … thank you sorry I didn’t mean to scare you.” Wait, what? Did she just apologize for robbing the bank?
But wait, it gets even weirder. Surveillance footage caught Gooch banging on the counter, urging the teller to hurry up and hand over the cash. She even told the teller not to bother counting it, just give it to her. Talk about efficiency! She then made her grand escape in a Buick Enclave with a handicap registration number on display. I mean, who says crime doesn’t come with a touch of irony?
Of course, the police were hot on her trail and swiftly located her vehicle in the parking lot of the Pleasant Hill Animal Clinic. And here’s where things take an unexpected turn. When they approached her, they were “kind of confused.” Why, you ask? Because they were faced with a “little old lady who steps out” of the car, as Police Chief Tommy Wright described her. Classic case of not judging a book by its cover, right?
But it doesn’t end there, my friends. When they searched her vehicle, they found wads of cash in small bills on the floorboard. Yep, she didn’t waste any time spending that loot. But that’s not all. Turns out, this wasn’t Gooch’s first rodeo. She has at least two other bank robbery convictions, one from California in 1977 and another from a Lee’s Summit bank in 2020. Talk about a career criminal with a unique sense of style!
Now, I know what you’re thinking. What in the world possessed a sweet, little old lady to rob banks? Well, according to reports, her son had called the police in 2020, claiming that his mother was “off her rocker” and had left their residence with a black wig, neon Nike hat, and a BB gun, threatening to rob a bank. And sure enough, a short, older woman with a lime green hat and wig robbed a bank shortly after. Seems like her fashion choices are as eccentric as her criminal activities!
So, what’s the deal with Bonnie Gooch? Was she just a thrill-seeker in her golden years, or is there more to this story? Police Chief Tommy Wright mentioned that they are looking into whether any underlying health factors may have contributed to her actions, but regardless, this case is certainly unusual. In my 30 years of police work, I’ve never encountered a bank robbery suspect her age, said Chief Wright. It just goes to show that you can never underestimate anyone, no matter how sweet and innocent they may seem.
As we await Gooch’s arraignment on May 25, one thing’s for sure – this is one news story that will go down in the books as a true oddity.
Source: The Kansas City Star
Old Man
April 12, 2023 at 7:33 pm
I wonder, did she know Albert Flick?
Sandra Oakley
April 12, 2023 at 8:11 pm
Makes sense. I understand you are treated better in federal prisons than you are in old age nursing homes. And it costs nothing.