MEMPHIS, Tenn. – A former local jailer has been arrested here and charged with being the “mumbling” bandit who failed in two robbery attempts at credit unions last week.
Phtosa Dennis, 42, has been charged with bank robbery and using a gun during one of the crimes. Since 1997, Dennis has been employed as a jailer in Shelby County, Tenn. As reported earlier by Credit Union Journal, it is alleged that Dennis failed in her attempts to hold up two local credit unions on the same day last week because the tellers couldn’t understand her – one time stumbling outside as her gun clattered to the sidewalk.
The bumbling bandit struck the first time at Southern Security FCU, but the teller couldn't understand the suspect's mumbling demands. The suspect then produced a hold-up note, which she flung at the teller before running from the building.
The hapless bandit then tried to rob a branch of First South CU, but she fumbled with her purse, then approached the counter after a teller asked several times if she needed help. The woman handed the teller a note, but the teller retreated when the woman pulled a gun. The would-be robber then ran from the credit union, tumbling on the sidewalk and dropping her weapon before leaving without any cash.
