SUSQUEHANNA TOWNSHIP, Pa. -- An 80-year-old man fought off a 25-year-old man on Monday during a robbery attempt, Susquehanna Township police reported.
Police said George Runkle allowed Matthew J. Leitzel, of Dillsburg, into his home to use the phone. Runkle's wife, Katie, said Leitzel said he had a cold and asked for a cough drop.
When she went to get one from her car, her husband said the visitor made his move.
"He walked over here to look at the clock and before I knew it he pushed me off the chair," Runkle said.
He said he hit the floor hard and with his arm bleeding, he said he began yelling and struggling with Leitzel.
Runkle said Leitzel told him, "'I want your wallet,' and I said, 'No way. I'll die before you get that wallet.'"
Leitzel was able to take Runkle's wallet, but the 80-year-old fought him off and chased him out of the house, police said.
Police later arrested Leitzel in the 1600 block of Derry Street. Police said Leitzel had Runkle's wallet when he was arrested.
Leitzel is being charged with robbery and simple assault.
Runkle was treated at a hospital and released.
He said Leitzel stopped and ran out a back door when he heard Runkle's wife coming back into the house.
He said it wasn't the small amount of cash he was fighting to hold onto, but credit cards and his license.
"I wasn't going to go through all these cards and call all these companies and say I lost the cards," Runkle said.
Police said George Runkle allowed Matthew J. Leitzel, of Dillsburg, into his home to use the phone. Runkle's wife, Katie, said Leitzel said he had a cold and asked for a cough drop.
When she went to get one from her car, her husband said the visitor made his move.
"He walked over here to look at the clock and before I knew it he pushed me off the chair," Runkle said.
He said he hit the floor hard and with his arm bleeding, he said he began yelling and struggling with Leitzel.
Runkle said Leitzel told him, "'I want your wallet,' and I said, 'No way. I'll die before you get that wallet.'"
Leitzel was able to take Runkle's wallet, but the 80-year-old fought him off and chased him out of the house, police said.
Police later arrested Leitzel in the 1600 block of Derry Street. Police said Leitzel had Runkle's wallet when he was arrested.
Leitzel is being charged with robbery and simple assault.
Runkle was treated at a hospital and released.
He said Leitzel stopped and ran out a back door when he heard Runkle's wife coming back into the house.
He said it wasn't the small amount of cash he was fighting to hold onto, but credit cards and his license.
"I wasn't going to go through all these cards and call all these companies and say I lost the cards," Runkle said.