Two Good Samaritans stepped in to help an 82-year-old woman who was being robbed outside of a bank in Tarpon Springs.
Monday morning, Tarpon Springs Police responded to the Bank of America at 910 E. Tarpon Ave. about a robbery complaint.
They were told an 82-year-old woman had just left the bank and was standing next to her vehicle in the parking lot when another woman approached her.
Police say 31-year-old Jennifer Denise Kearin got out of the car and demanded the woman give her money.
"She tapped me on my back and it startled me and I turned and I said oh you scared me and she says I want your money and I thought she was joking with me," said 82-year-old Mary Barrineau.
Barrineau had already put her purse in the car when the woman approached.
She initially refused to hand over any money, then the woman told her she had a gun in the car and threatened to get it.
Kearin then took the purse from the elderly woman's car and began to walk back to her own vehicle.
"You have to fight. You can't just sit there and let them take advantage of you and steal your money," said Barrineau.
Two witnesses saw what was happening and positioned their cars behind Kearin's car to keep her from leaving the scene with the purse.
The 82-year-old woman fought back the whole time, taking hold of Kearin's shirt.
"I've never backed away from a good fight, you know, if you deserve it," added Barrineau.
Good Samaritans at the scene prevented Kearin from leaving and she was arrested and charged with armed robbery and violation of probation.
