Elderly Robbery Victim Warns Others to Be Cautious
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NORTHWEST JACKSON, Tenn. — Investigators said the elderly are often vulnerable targets for criminals. Since Thursday, three Jackson-Madison County residents older than 70 have fallen victim to robbery. Bobby Latham was bringing groceries his house on Sunday night when he said someone followed him onto his front porch with him knowing. “I turned around, he had my billfold and he was gone,” Latham said. “I opened the storm door, put my key in there, and started turning it. When I started to turn it, I felt a little movement on my back.” He said by the time he realized what was happening and turned around, the robber was already halfway down the neighboring yard with his wallet running in the opposite direction. “Oh, I was scared to death. I really was. I wasn’t scared when it happened but right after. I couldn’t walk hardly or anything,” he said. Sergeant Abe Jones with the Crime Prevention Unit with the Jackson Police Department said robbers do not just look for the elderly. “You can become a victim very quickly, that’s why it’s so important to be aware and on your toes about what’s going on around you,” Sergeant Jones said. Latham said it was not the $9 or what was inside the wallet he cares about. “The thing about my wallet, my son made it for me 35 years ago and I’ve carried it in my pocket every day for 35 years,” he said. Now he said he hopes others will keep their eyes out too. “I hope they stop robbing everybody, but I hope they stop picking on the elderly people. They only have enough to get by from one month to the next,” Latham said. He said the man seen running away with his wallet was a young black man just over 6 feet tall. He was wearing a grey hat. If you have any information that could help, call Jackson Police or Crimestoppers.
