Advertisement

77-year-old Florida man tasered after trying to escape alleged bank robbery with walker

Russell Cooper, 77 and aided by a walker, was frustrated by lack of funds and allegedly used a pocketknife to demand $130 before being tasered by police.

By Evan Bleier

BOYNTON BEACH , Fla., May 8 (UPI) -- An elderly Florida man was tasered after he tried to make a very slow getaway following an alleged bank robbery in Boynton Beach.

Russell Cooper was at a PNC Bank attempting to withdraw money when he became “increasingly agitated” after a manager told him a "consistent lack of funds" had led his account to be closed.

Advertisement

The 77-year-old then pulled out a pocketknife and demanded the manager help him get the $130 he had requested, the Sun-Sentinel reported. After getting the money, Cooper attempted to escape using his walker while holding the manager hostage at knifepoint.

Police arrived on the scene and told Cooper to drop the knife.

“I’m not dropping it, I’m going to stick it in your [expletive] gut. I’m going to stab you if you don’t shoot me,” Cooper allegedly said, according to CBS 12.

While Cooper continued to argue with the officer, a second officer approached him from behind and tasered him. He was taken to Palm Beach County jail and charged with armed robbery and kidnapping.

Latest Headlines