Friends and family of James Bruce are trying to come to term
with why a 73-year-old law abiding grandfather suddenly robs three South Tampa
Banks.Bruce walked into Bank of America
on January 15 and slipped the teller a note demanding $600. Tampa sheriff's deputies said that Bruce
struck again in an identical fashion on February 1 at a SunTrust Bank and
February 10 at another Bank of America.During the first two robberies, Bruce left the bank on foot; the third
he drove his old pickup.Those who know
Bruce point out he did not attempt to disguise himself or use a gun and asked
for only a small sum of money.The
demand notes did not characterize his actions as a robbery and indicated that
he intended to pay the money back.
An expert speculated on the cased based on the reports."Why only $600 if you're going to rob a
bank?Why not $60,000?" said
psychiatrist Daniel Amen, who operates brain clinics across the country.Amen said that Bruce's behavior is consistent
with a condition called frontotemporal dementia.Amen explained that the condition impairs the
area of the brain responsible for planning and impulse control."Everyone has fantasies, but those with dementia
are more likely to carry them out," said Amen.
Those who knew Bruce indicated he had started acting
differently lately.His family said they
were concerned about him because he seemed to be having a hard time remembering
things.Tampa Detective Melinda Reuis
disagreed saying that in the 90 minutes they spoke he showed no signs of memory
problems."He's not losing his mind,"
said Reuis."For a 73-year-old-man, he's
pretty with it."
Family members and friends also said he had started asking
for small amounts of money from friends -- $10 here and $20 there - even after
the bank robberies."I have known him
for years," said Delia Urrutia, one such friend. "He never, ever, ever before
asked for money.
Michael Lopez, who manages a plant shop next to Bruce's
business, who had a chance to view the banks' surveillance video does not
believe that Bruce was operating at full mental capacity.Defense attorney John Musca commented that
given the surveillance video and other circumstances of the case Bruce's mental
capacity might be an important part of his defense.
Musca Law has over 100 years of combined legal experience
with convenient offices located across the State of Florida.Our Tampa criminal defense Attorneys will
aggressively defend your rights on the State and Federal level.The prosecution is looking to punish you to
the fullest extent of the law.You need
a knowledgeable attorney to watch out for you.Contact the Tampa criminal lawyers at Musca Law for a free,
comprehensive review of your case.
