#BRUHnews: NJ Woman Facing Federal Charges For Toy Gun Bank Heist
Written by djfrosty on February 14, 2025
Source: Princeton New Jersey PD / Princeton PD
A woman in New Jersey is facing federal charges after allegedly robbing a bank with a toy water gun which she painted to look like a real weapon.
On Tuesday (February 11), the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey announced that they were charging Ciara Brascom with robbing a bank in Princeton of $60,500, which was done with Brascom using a toy water pistol that was spray painted black to make it look like a real weapon. If convicted, the 38-year-old could receive a prison sentence of up to 20 years along with a fine of $250,000.
According to reports, on the afternoon of July 28, 2004, Brascom entered the TD Bank located on Route 206 at 1:58 P.M. She wore a blue hat and red prescription glasses along with a blue medical face mask as she entered the bank. Soon afterward, she handed a note to one of the tellers demanding money, threatening to use her weapon if the teller triggered the alarm. Brascom then took out what appeared to be a gun from her pants pocket and aimed it at the teller, who informed her that their drawer was empty. The teller and another bank employee led Brascom to a safe, where they handed her the $60,500 in cash. Brascom then fled the scene with the cash in hand, having forgotten to take a bag to put it in.
After an extensive investigation, local law enforcement called Brascom in for questioning last September. During the interrogation, she spoke about “certain financial difficulties, which fueled her desire to rob the bank,” and described her search for a replica pistol to use during the robbery, which was unsuccessful. It led Brascom to buy a pack of water guns. She then “painted one of the guns with black paint to make it look more realistic.”
Brascom was charged with robbery, criminal restraint, theft, terroristic threats, money laundering, aggravated assault, and weapons offenses. She appeared in court for the charges later that Tuesday. There was no report of the status of her local charges. She was released after posting a $150,000 bond and is currently on home detention with orders not to return to the bank.