Lancaster Man Comes to Aid of 71-Year-Old Holdup Victim

A good Samaritan thwarted a street robbery Tuesday, chasing down a youth who ripped more than $900 in cash from the hands of a 71-year-old man who had just left a liquor store, authorities said.

William Panos of Lancaster said a 16-year-old boy approached him outside the Village Liquor store in the 300 block of East Avenue I about 3:30 p.m., asking if he had change for a $20 bill.

“I said, ‘No,’ and he grabbed my money and was gone,” said Panos, who had just returned from the bank. The robber also took a rosary pouch containing a lock of hair, a wedding ring and a crucifix belonging to his deceased wife, he said.

Clarence Perreira, 34, also of Lancaster, who witnessed the robbery from his car in the parking lot, chased the youth in his car and then on foot for at least four blocks through a park and an apartment complex, catching him in a vacant lot.

“He yelled at me that he had a gun, but by that time I was close enough to tackle him,” Perreira said.

The youth offered Perreira half the loot to let him go. When he refused, the youth unsuccessfully offered the same deal to onlookers, Perreira said.

“I got a soft spot for old people getting knocked over (robbed),” Perreira said.

Perreira detained the youth for about five minutes until police arrived, he said. The youth bit him on the elbow but Perreira was otherwise unhurt, he said.

Sheriff’s deputies discovered crack cocaine on the youth, who led them to the spot where he tossed away Panos’ pouch of personal belongings.

“There ain’t many people who would do this for me and I’m grateful to this guy,” said Panos, a retired factory worker from northeast Ohio. “I hope they give him a commendation.”