An 83-year-old woman was robbed of her lottery winnings shortly after claiming the money from a convenience store in Florida. The incident occurred at a convenience store in Orlando on Wednesday morning, as reported by the Orange County Sheriff’s Office.
Security camera footage released by the authorities shows a man approaching the woman as she was about to enter her vehicle, attempting to snatch money from her hand. Despite the assailant’s aggressive actions, the woman resisted, managing to hold on tightly to her winnings. A bystander emerged from the store, seemingly trying to de-escalate the situation. However, the suspect, who had briefly backed off, quickly lunged at the woman in a second attempt to grab the money.
A scuffle ensued between the two men, during which the thief forcibly took the money from the woman, causing her to fall to the ground. The perpetrator then fled the scene, with the good Samaritan giving chase, albeit unsuccessfully apprehending the culprit.
Responding to inquiries, the Orange County Sheriff’s Office indicated that the woman reported the thief had absconded with approximately $200 from her purse, including a portion of her lottery winnings. The office did not provide specific details regarding the exact amount stolen from the victim.
Law enforcement officials identified the suspect in question as Diego Stalin Tavarez Fleury. Subsequently, Fleury was arrested on charges of robbery, sudden snatching, and battery involving a victim over the age of 65. A spokesperson for the sheriff’s office confirmed these developments in an update on Thursday.
The State Attorney’s Office, responsible for determining the formal charges against Fleury, had yet to respond to requests for comment at the time of reporting. Efforts to ascertain whether Fleury had legal representation were inconclusive, as no attorney was listed in court records or other sources as of Thursday.
A spokesperson for the sheriff’s office credited community cooperation for the apprehension of Fleury, noting that a tip from a concerned citizen led to his arrest. They expressed confidence that the injuries sustained by the elderly woman were minor, offering assurance regarding her well-being.
Saman Shafiq, a journalist covering current affairs for USA TODAY, provided updates on the incident. For further information, readers were encouraged to contact her via email at sshafiq@gannett.com or follow her on social media platforms.
This article, depicting the unfortunate robbery of an elderly woman following her lottery win, was originally featured on USA TODAY.
