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‘Don’t Try Nothin Stupid’: Report Details Failed Bank Robbery Attempt, Desperate Plea By Woman, 63
December 3, 2025
A 63-year old woman that is charged a failed robbery attempt at Nine Mile Road bank on the day before Thanksgiving passed a note asking for a specific amount of money and with a plea for help, according to an arrest report obtained by NorthEscambia.com.
Gwendolyn Delores Brown was charged with communications fraud obtaining $300 or more and grand theft $10,000 to $20,000.
According to the arrest report from the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, Brown entered the bank just before noon on November 26 and passed a demand note to a bank employee. The note was explicit, demanding$16,000.
According to the report, the note stated “I demand that you put in the bag $16,000 dollars or the family will sulfer and don’t try nothin stupid.”
The employee, who was sitting at a desk in the lobby, initially went behind the teller line to alert colleagues and the manager that they were being robbed. Fearing for the safety of the suspect’s alleged hostages, another bank employee instructed colleagues to provide the cash, the report states. A total of $16,000 in U.S. currency was placed into a white zippered bank bag and handed over to Brown.
Immediately after receiving the money, Brown reportedly began crying and shared a frantic story with the bank staff. She claimed she had been sent into the bank by unknown individuals who were holding her son hostage and threatening to harm him. The location of the alleged hostage was initially stated as a car in the parking lot, but later changed to her home address.
Multiple deputies were dispatched to the scene in reference to a hold-up. Upon arrival, deputies quickly searched the bank and neighboring shopping center parking lot but found no individuals in distress or vehicles matching the suspect’s initial claims.
The responding deputy then established contact with Brown, who provided her address and alleged that a man named “James,” described as a black male in his 50s or 60s, was holding her so, due to a debt owed by her husband. Deputies were immediately sent to the home address to perform a welfare check. During the investigation at the bank, the deputy noted that parts of Brown’s account seemed inconsistent.
While speaking with a bank employee who was familiar with Brown from previous transactions, the employee noted that the suspect was “shaky and not herself.” According to sworn statements, this employee attempted to calm Brown, who then claimed to have received a phone call from an unknown number stating that the bad men left and her kids were safe.
In a separate account, a friend of Brown, who was scheduled to meet her for lunch at a Waffle House across the street, was interviewed by deputies. This individual revealed that Brown had been under significant stress, including facing the possibility of losing her house to foreclosure and dealing with medical issues involving a brother in South Florida. The friend also confirmed that Brown resided alone in her home.
The $16,000 in cash was recovered by a bank employee shortly after Brown received it, as she was crying and speaking with staff. The bank confirmed it wished to press charges.
Brown was subsequently placed under arrest and transported to the Escambia County Jail. She was released on a $5,000 bond early Thanksgiving morning.
Evidence submitted in the case includes a black beanie cap, two bus passes, the demand letter, and written statements from witnesses.
Pictured: The Ensley Branch of Regions Bank on Nine Mile Road minutes after an alleged failed robbery attempt. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Comments
9 Responses to “‘Don’t Try Nothin Stupid’: Report Details Failed Bank Robbery Attempt, Desperate Plea By Woman, 63”
Have we all noticed the softer and more gentle stances on this (for the most part)?
Is that she’s older?
Is it that she is desperate?
Could she be a bit, how do I say it, dementia?
You know what’s missing here? A gun. Or a knife. Because if she had even waved a weapon, I think everyone would be much more harsh.
People are tired of the violence and the constant threat of weapons being used in crimes against people, animals, schools, stores, communities, and families. They’re tired of shootings, stabbings, injuries, killings.
Once a gun or weapon is introduced, the willingness of society to only punish and seek justice, but also to help people press the reset button, that willingness simply crashes.
i see several comments saying there are resources for help. unfortunately those resources are few and those few just dont have funds. its hard times for people these days, and i cant fault her. I wish that since the money was recovered, she could be charged with threats and not theft. actions do have consequences, but my heart definitely feels sad that this woman thought this was the only thing she could do.
If I were her judge, the sentence would be six months in prison (we cannot go around robbing banks, sorry folks), four years probation (focus on her future, which would include senior financial counseling and mental evaluations taking into account poverty and age/aptitude), and I’d personally write a $16,000 check from my bank account payable to the mortgage company.
That’s right Niknak.
Van-halen, it’s refreshing to see compassion and kindness in the comments section of this site. Have a merry Christmas!
Feel bad for her, the cost of living and Healthcare is outrageous, and social security don’t pay nearly enough to scrape by
Thankfully no one was hurt in the robbery and all were able to celebrate Thanksgiving the next day with their families and loved ones. Hope she understands the consequences for her actions that are yet to come. She should have tried to reach out to agencies who could have possibly given her some help.
there are services to help this woman. now her friend&court judge should help her& not have this on a record !merry christmas all.
Sadly, actions have consequences, and we live in a culture today that does not think there should be any consequences to their actions.