Teen robbers found 77-year-old woman at ATM an 'easy target' — seconds later, they deeply regretted their decision
There is a popular saying, “Don’t judge the book by its cover.” It refers to not underestimating or overestimating a person based on their appearance. You never know what unexpected traits a person might hold for good or bad. A 77-year-old woman named Winifred Peel was thought to be an easy target by three teenage criminals, per The Telegraph. 19-year-old Felix Stoica, 18-year-old Piper Dumitru and Florin Geblescu, thought it would be quick and easy to rob the woman at an ATM at Bromborough, Wirral. Call it fortunate or unfortunate, in a jiffy, the robbers realized why they shouldn’t have judged Peel by her age.
The trio drove to the area, reportedly looking for “easy targets,” per the Liverpool Echo. When they saw Peel at the ATM, they thought they’d easily threaten and scare her to get what they wanted and be in and out of there in moments. Pensioner Peel had just inserted her card into the machine and was typing her PIN to get some cash. Right then, she noticed a figure standing beside her. William Beardmore, her attorney, said to Liverpool Town Court, “The complainant became aware of somebody standing immediately to her right. He pushed against her, causing her to rock to one side and she recognized him as a male she had seen exiting Barclays Bank earlier.”
Peel figured something was wrong and went on to look at the second robber, whom she also recognized to be at the back earlier. The teenager “leaned over her and pressed the button to withdraw £200 and at that point she realized she was being robbed.” Dumitru was reportedly keeping a lookout. The boys thought they’d get the money and rush to escape, leaving the elderly woman helpless. However, they forgot to calculate wisdom and vigilance as added strong points for Peel. As soon as the 77-year-old realized she was being robbed, she “took hold of the second male by the collar and banged his head against the cash machine three times to try and stop him.”
When the trio tried to escape, she quickly alerted the bank after which they were traced via CCTV footage and caught. After investigating the situation, the police revealed that it was Stoica that Peel had grabbed and taught a good lesson. Despite having waived off the boys, the woman was still scarred and disappointed by the experience. A statement from the elderly woman read, “They did not care about how this would affect me. I would definitely say this has changed my life, I will never have the confidence I once did. I only hope my confidence returns.”
Judge Norman Wright said, “You targeted a vulnerable victim, a lady who was 77 years of age... Notwithstanding her age she resisted, there was a struggle before you made good your escape. This is a lady who is in the twilight of life and you have cast a deep shadow over that.” Stoica was sentenced to two years in a young offenders’ institution, Geblescu to 18 months and Dumitru to eight months.