CARLSBAD - A 67-year-old wheelchair-using resident of a homeless shelter was punched and robbed Tuesday, and his alleged assailant was arrested, Carlsbad police reported.
Eric M. Harmon, 25, was booked at the Vista Detention Facility on suspicion of armed robbery, elder abuse and burglary, said Lt. Kelly Cain.
The older man, whose name was withheld, and the suspect are both residents of the La Posada De Guadalupe Men's Shelter at 2476 Impala Drive, Cain said. Harmon has lived there for three months, he said.
The older man, who spoke to investigators through an interpreter, alleged that Harmon approached him about 10 a.m. at the shelter and asked him for money, according to Cain.
When he told the suspect that he did not have any money, Harmon allegedly grabbed him by the throat, punched him and rifled through his pockets, Cain said.
The suspect, who allegedly fled with some of the victim's cash, was apprehended by police several blocks from the shelter and was subsequently identified by the older man and a witness, according to Cain.
The victim's cash was returned, and he did not require medical treatment, the lieutenant said.
