Man Pistol-Whipped, Robbed of $24,000
TUSTIN — A 79-year-old man was pistol-whipped by one of two robbers who tricked him into opening his door and stole $24,000 cash from his pocket, authorities said Tuesday.
Police said the victim told them he had withdrawn the money from the bank Monday for home improvement expenses on his house in a quiet, upscale area north of Tustin. The robbers apparently knew about the withdrawal and where the money was kept, Sheriff’s Lt. Ron Wilkerson said.
About 7 p.m. Monday, a young woman asked a resident in the 12000 block of Red Hill Avenue if she could use his bathroom, Sheriff’s Lt. Fred Lisanti said. When the man agreed to let her inside, a man behind her forced his way into the home and pistol-whipped the resident with a revolver, Lisanti said.
The man went through the victim’s pants and removed $24,000 in cash from his wallet, Lisanti said. The couple then fled his house. No vehicle was seen.
The victim, who told investigators he did not know the suspects, was not seriously injured, and deputies are continuing the investigation.
Authorities described the male suspect as 5-foot-8, Latino, 25 to 30 years old and weighing 180 pounds. He had a mustache and was wearing a blue button-down shirt and tan shorts, detectives said.
The woman was described as 5-foot-6, Latina, also 25 to 30 years old and weighing 140 pounds, with dark long hair who was wearing white shorts.
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