Woman charged in elderly robberies

Tuesday, January 6, 2009 at 12:01am
Monette Bowen

Monette Bowen, 20, is facing a handful of charges related to at least three robberies at gunpoint of elderly women outside their homes in October and November.

Police were able to identify Bowen as a suspect after they received a tip to Crime Stoppers. The victims and a witness have since positively identified Bowen, police said.

In each of the incidents, the elderly women, ranging in ages from 63 to 88, were returning home when they were allegedly approached by the suspect. In one case, the victim was struck in the head with a handgun when she refused to relinquish her purse.

Warrants charging Bowen with three counts each of aggravated robbery and fraudulent use of a credit card have been issued in Davidson County for the following robberies:

  • Oct. 29 in the 4500 block of Harpeth Hills

  • Nov. 3 in the 700 block of Harpeth Knoll Road
  • Nov. 10 in the 200 block of Wheeler Avenue

Bowen is currently in custody in Chattanooga on unrelated felony theft charges.

Bowen, whose last known address was on Bell Road, has past convictions for theft and two counts of aggravated burglary.

—Staff report

Filed under: City News
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By: frankbrown on 12/31/69 at 6:00

Yes, I have an opinion. There should be a law against birth scum.

By: bfra on 12/31/69 at 6:00

Are the sure that is a female?

By: Blanketnazi2 on 12/31/69 at 6:00

I totally agree, east. The elderly are so succeptable to abuse and do not have enough protection.

By: MamaG on 12/31/69 at 6:00

Hard to believe this is a 20 yr. old from the looks of the picture which makes her look much older than 20.So, she has 3 counts here now, is currently under arrest in Chattanooga for another felony theft charge and has past convictions for theft and burglary. Why wasn't she already doing time for these crimes? This is why people continue to do what they do: they never have to face the consequences of their actions and are not held accountable for them. I hope she gets a nice, long sentence for all this. Maybe she'll wake up and get her life together if so.

By: shef2 on 12/31/69 at 6:00

This is just the type of crime that drives our police force nuts. Chief Ronal Serpas has stated that he is frustrated, and doesn't understand why criminals continuously get released "early" from prison, only to go out and violate the law again.