Policeman's mother accused of bank robberies

The mother of a Michigan policeman was today accused of robbing two banks in the state capital.

Margaret Ann Thomas-Irving, who turns 58 tomorrow, demanded money from staff at the banks in Lansing a week ago, prosecutors claim.

She allegedly handed tellers identical notes reading: “We have explosives. If anything goes wrong, it’s curtains for us all.”

She left with more than $2,500, they said.

Thomas-Irving, who has no prior criminal record, denies the charges.

When she was arrested, copies of the threatening note were found in her purse and in a rental car, which also had a stolen licence plate, Assistant US Attorney Lloyd Meyer said.

Two of the banks’ “bait bills” – notes from which the serial numbers were recorded earlier in case of robbery – were found on her, Meyer said.

Her son, Officer Ed Thomas of the Bath Township Police Department, declined to comment.