Panhandler wanted more, assaults elderly patron

Panhandler wanted more, assaults elderly patron

Vancouver Sun

Published: Thursday, August 02, 2007

A 79-year-old man has been assaulted and robbed at his church after attending the morning service, Vancouver police said today.

The man was entering the Holy Rosary Cathedral at 646 Richards St. when he noticed a panhandler outside that he had been giving $5 to each of the previous four days before attending church, says a police press release issued today.

"Yesterday, he was running late, so he told the panhandler he would see him on the way out," the release said.

After the service, the man came out into the foyer of the church and found the panhandler waiting for him. When the senior took out his wallet to give him $5, the panhandler decided it wasn't enough, police said. He grabbed the man's wallet and threw him to the ground. He left the wallet but took all the cash enclosed.