Granny, 76, robbed bank to help son

AN ELDERLY grandmother in Pennsylvania has pleaded guilty to pulling off a bank heist with an unloaded pistol in order to help her financially struggling son.

Marilyn Devine, 76, held a National City Bank branch in Pittsburgh at gunpoint in March last year, making off with nearly US$6,000 (S$9,000) and leading police on a 72kmh chase through a residential neighbourhood before she was caught, said prosecutors.

Devine's lawyer said the former Korean War veteran was suffering from depression and anxiety, the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reported yesterday.

'Her son called her the night before and said he was going to do himself in unless she could get him some money,' said defence attorney Noah Geary.

Devine, who is also a former teacher, pleaded guilty on Thursday after prosecutors agreed not to pursue a mandatory five- to 10-year prison sentence.

But she could still get a prison term when she is sentenced on June 27, according to an Associated Press report.