WESTMINSTER, Colo. -- Westminster police are looking for a thief who targeted a 91-year old veteran, tackled him in his own yard, then stole his wallet.
"It's despicable," said Investigator Trevor Materasso, of the Westminster Police Department.
Materasso said the Marine Corps. vet and his 91-year old wife were grocery shopping on Veterans Day.
"They paid for their groceries with cash," he said.
Security video from the King Soopers at West 120th Avenue and Sheridan Boulevard shows a man in a brown and white hooded plaid jacket allegedly scoping out his victim.
"You can see the suspect hovering around the check stand actually watching the victim take cash out of his wallet," Materasso said.
The elderly couple paid for their groceries then drove home.
The thief walked out to a red Neon which was being driven by another person and the car followed the couple home.
"Being the gentleman that this Marine and veteran is, he takes his wife inside then goes back outside to unload the groceries," Materasso said. "This (thief) tackles him from the back, actually takes him to the ground, takes his wallet out of his back pocket, jumps up and takes off running."
The victim, who suffered minor leg injuries, called police.
Police say the assault happened at 2:40 in the afternoon.
Christopher Turner's friend was returning home about that time.
He saw a Neon parked along the busy street.
"He saw a guy running from Sheridan towards the car, which he thought was unusual," Turner said.
Only later did Turner and his friend learn what happened. "It was pretty shocking, and just pathetic that they targeted a 91-year old," Turner said.
Police are not releasing the victim's name at his request.
"He's worried that the thieves might come back," Materasso said.
When 7NEWS showed a picture of the alleged thief to shoppers in the parking lot at the supermarket, several said they didn't recognize him.
"But I'll certainly look for him," said Cheri Durbin. "What a jerk."
"It's despicable," said Investigator Trevor Materasso, of the Westminster Police Department.
Materasso said the Marine Corps. vet and his 91-year old wife were grocery shopping on Veterans Day.
"They paid for their groceries with cash," he said.
Security video from the King Soopers at West 120th Avenue and Sheridan Boulevard shows a man in a brown and white hooded plaid jacket allegedly scoping out his victim.
"You can see the suspect hovering around the check stand actually watching the victim take cash out of his wallet," Materasso said.
The elderly couple paid for their groceries then drove home.
The thief walked out to a red Neon which was being driven by another person and the car followed the couple home.
"Being the gentleman that this Marine and veteran is, he takes his wife inside then goes back outside to unload the groceries," Materasso said. "This (thief) tackles him from the back, actually takes him to the ground, takes his wallet out of his back pocket, jumps up and takes off running."
The victim, who suffered minor leg injuries, called police.
Police say the assault happened at 2:40 in the afternoon.
Christopher Turner's friend was returning home about that time.
He saw a Neon parked along the busy street.
"He saw a guy running from Sheridan towards the car, which he thought was unusual," Turner said.
Only later did Turner and his friend learn what happened. "It was pretty shocking, and just pathetic that they targeted a 91-year old," Turner said.
Police are not releasing the victim's name at his request.
"He's worried that the thieves might come back," Materasso said.
When 7NEWS showed a picture of the alleged thief to shoppers in the parking lot at the supermarket, several said they didn't recognize him.
"But I'll certainly look for him," said Cheri Durbin. "What a jerk."