Article published February 03, 2005
Couple robbed at St. Vincent
Thief cuts man, 79, during assault in hospital garage
A thief followed a West Toledo couple to their car in the St. Vincent Mercy Medical Center parking garage, brandished a knife, and cut the husband's hand yesterday while reaching for the wife's purse.
The husband, George Beakas, 79, was treated for the wound to his right hand at St. Vincent.
The incident about 2:40 p.m. was the third purse-snatching from the medical center garage in the last three months, said Sarah Bednarski, a spokesman for Mercy Health Partners, which operates the hospital.
Police said the thief, dressed in a down coat with a satchel over his shoulder, was behind Mr. Beakas and his wife, Dolores, as they walked down the hall to the parking garage elevator, which he boarded with them.
All three left the elevator on the fifth floor. At the car, Mr. Beakas got into the passenger's seat. Mrs. Beakas got in and was about to close the driver's door when a man reached over her to grab her purse. Mr. Beakas received a deep cut as he raised his hand to shield his wife and push the man away.
Mrs. Beakas kept the purse, but the thief was able to get a wallet. As the thief ran away, Mr. Beakas followed. Mrs. Beakas screamed for help, and security officers were there within seconds, police said.Police had no one in custody last night.
St. Vincent has continual patrols of the six-story garage and security cameras, one of which captured an image of the man, Ms. Bednarski said.
"We expressed our regret to our visitors that this happened," she said.
The Beakases could not be reached for comment.
Ms. Bednarski said St. Vincent is "examining our safety enhancements. Over the last few months, we have added cameras in our parking garage [and] security staff. We have a mobile van that will take patients and their visitors to their cars if they need an escort. Our goal is always to provide the safest environment we can."
Permanent Link
|
|
 |
|
Search
advertisement
