New Year’s Eve robbery left lasting trauma for Lee County woman

LEE COUNTY, Fla. (WINK) — A Lee County woman is haunted by a terrifying experience that occurred 15 years ago on New Years Eve.

On this day in 2010, Jaimie Lynn found herself staring down the barrel of a gun while working as a bank teller in Lee County.

"You never know when your time's up. That wasn't my day," said Lynn.

Lynn had just begun her shift at the former RBC Bank on San Carlos Boulevard when her life took a frightening turn.

"It was traumatic," said Lynn.

In an exclusive interview with WINK News, Lynn recounted the harrowing experience for the first time since that day.

"This person came in the front door, running in the front door. And it's a big entryway from the door to the bank teller station," said Lynn. "He jumped on top of my counter with a gun at my head."

"And said [expletive], you're going to die. And it all happened like boom, boom, boom, [he] jumped over to the teller side and [he] demanded money and there were people in the bank," said Lynn.

The moment the gun was pointed at her head is something Lynn will never forget.

"I'm thinking this could be it. Follow his orders. Because that's what you do. I can't compete with a gun," she said.

Thankfully, no one was shot during the robbery.

"He just kind of said, okay, everybody, you know, get over here, get into the vault," Lynn said.

Lynn and four others were rushed into the vault as the robber fled with cash. Investigators never disclosed the amount stolen.

WINK News cameras captured Lee County deputies rushing to the scene.

"There were no guns fired, but it was just the idea. I ended up losing 30% of my heart function. You can be scared to death," said Lynn.

Lynn spent several days in the hospital following the robbery and still feels its effects today.

"I can't imagine. I mean, you know, what the military people go through for the PTSD because this is nothing like they. And I don't consider it a weakness," she said.

Lynn says it took years for her to return to the banking industry.

"I couldn't physically go back and make myself go into a bank, you know, for four years. And then I thought, you know, I'm not going to let it take me, you know, because I love banking, I love people," she said. "Bank robberies still happen. But personally, I was just like, okay, let's appreciate each day. You know, don't take it for granted."

Lynn believes the robber was never caught.

According to WINK News reporting in 2010, the suspect fled on foot toward Fort Myers Beach. Lee County deputies searched the area but found nothing.

The sheriff's office was closed for the holiday, so no additional information was available at this time.