BOYNTON BEACH, Fla. - Boynton Beach police said a 66-year-old man was robbed at knifepoint Monday morning while the victim pumped gas.
The incident occurred at a Marathon Gas Station located at 1610 South Congress Ave. around 8 a.m.
The victim's name is Joe, but he didn't want to disclose his last name.
Joe says he was approached by the robber, who he says appeared to be between 18-25 years old.
He says the person first asked him for a dollar, and apologized while asking him.
"He seemed clean cut. Maybe he needed it for food, maybe he needed it for gas. I didn't ask him what he needed it for."
But Joe says he made a mistake by opening his wallet in front of the robber, who was able to see he had more cash inside.
The thief then pulled out a knife and demanded all of the victim’s money.
"Be careful who you're talking to and how they're asking for money. If somebody asks you for change, that's one thing, if someone asks you for bills-- that should be a flag. They want to see if you have money," Joe says.
Joe said the thief lunged at him several times, with the knife in his hand.
"This guy was smaller than me, but he had a big knife and he caught me off guard and was aggressive, and all I could do was back up," Joe says.
The 66-year old slipped on a puddle of oil, falling onto his back, while trying to back away from the robber.
"And I got up and I was in no condition to defend myself, so I gave him the money," Joe says.
He wouldn't disclose how much money the person got away with.
Police say the robber then escaped by running through the parking lot.
Joe says he tried to chase him, but wasn't able to catch up.
"I think he needs to get help... when he gets caught. He will," Joe says.
The victim suffered injuries from the fall and was treated at Delray Medical Center.
The suspect is described as white, in his late teens or early 20s with dark, short hair and wearing a white shirt with blue long sleeves and gray pants.
Surveillance video from a nearby McDonald’s showed the attacker in the restaurant buying food just a few minutes before the robbery.
Anyone who recognizes the suspect is asked to call Det. Midian Diaz at 561-732-8116 or Crime Stoppers of Palm Beach County at 800-458-TIPS. You can remain anonymous.
