EDMONTON – A day after being assaulted in front of his garage, an Edmonton senior’s face is swollen, his ribs are bruised, and his finger is in a splint.
The 77-year-old, who does not want to be identified, was getting ready to go to the bank with his wife Wednesday afternoon. He’d just started his truck and had gone inside his home as the vehicle warmed up, when he noticed a suspicious-looking man in his alley near 122 St. and 136 Ave.
The senior went outside but didn’t see the suspect, who was reportedly hiding in his garage. When the man turned around to go back inside, he says he was knocked to the ground with a blow from behind.
At that point, the man says his attacker punched him in the face 15 to 20 times.
“He beat the hell out of me,” said the 77-year-old.
The suspect managed to escape with the elderly man’s wallet.
“Neighbours and strangers all responded to the man’s cries for help, and helped provide police with a very good suspect description and direction of travel,” said Det. Eric Wilde with the EPS Northeast Division Criminal Investigation Section.
People in the area saw a man fleeing towards a nearby Superstore, which is where officers found the suspect — reportedly trying to use the victim’s bank card in an ATM.
Twenty-nine year old Darcy Loyie has been charged with a number of offences, including: break and enter to commit aggravated assault, break and enter to commit robbery, possession of stolen property, possession of a stolen credit card, and fraud.
Melissa Reeves, who had run to help the man while her husband chased the suspect, is disgusted that something like this could happen.
“I just think it’s sick pretty much,” she said. “Why would they go after old people?”
“These people are scum. They’re the scum of the earth,” the injured senior said. “I’d like to get a hold of him.”
He says his wife is now very scared, and believes seniors have to be careful.
This isn’t the first unprovoked attack on a senior. Last summer, 86-year-old Mike Madarash was attacked while gardening in his backyard. The latest victim says his son actually works with Madarash’s son.
READ MORE: Elderly Edmonton man says he feels ‘rotten, depressed’ following July attack
“Seniors are a vulnerable part of our community and some may take advantage of them. But as a service, we try to address those issues as best we can,” Wilde said.
The man who was attacked Wednesday afternoon is thanking everyone who helped him, calling them “wonderful people.”
With files from Fletcher Kent, Global News
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