Westminster Police Arrest Suspect In Attack On 91-Year-Old Vet
WESTMINSTER, Colo. (CBS4) - Westminster police say a man who attacked a 91-year-old veteran is now behind bars.
Police say the public helped lead to the capture of Jose Luis Pizarro, 33. Jill Kathleen Erickson, 44, is accused of helping Pizarro get away after the attack.
Police are even more irked because Pizarro is a veteran himself.
For months police searched for a man who stalked the veteran as he shopped in King Soopers.
"Society just recognizes that our elderly are off limits. You don't victimize them," Trevor Materasso with Westminster police said.
Police say Pizarro followed that man and his 91-year-old wife to their home.
"Actually walks his wife inside, doesn't want her to help unload the groceries. He comes back outside to unload the groceries. When her turns his back to the house, that's when he's tackled from behind," Materasso said.
It was a video that police say started generating tips.
Police say the suspects still had what they stole from the veteran.
"We were also pleased to be able to recover his wallet and his ID," Materasso said.
When the robbery happened the community was outraged and wanted to help.
"A lot of great citizens called us and wanted to donate, give money, donate a turkey dinner, do something they could," Materasso said.
It's that generosity that's helped the couple heal, but they still have a ways to go.
"Now the family is working on moving on and overcoming the fear that comes along with being attacked at your own home."
Police say the victim is doing better physically. They are keeping his identity a secret.
Pizarro is in jail and Erickson had bonded out. CBS4 went to her home and saw several people there, but nobody answered when a CBS4 employee knocked on the door to inquire about an interview.
