COLUMBUS – Columbus police have arrested a man they say robbed a 97-year-old veteran on the North Side Monday, knocking the man to the ground and stealing his wallet.
Police acting on a tip arrested Mark Skaggs, 52, in a homeless camp in the area of W. Mound Street and I-70 at approximately 11:00 p.m. Wednesday, according to a post on the Division of Police Twitter feed.
***ARREST -3RD UPDATE 5/21/20 9am: Last night CPD received a tip of Mark Skaggs whereabouts.
Patrol officers arrested him without incident near a homeless camp by W. Mound & I-70 around 11pm.
Charges: Robbery & Theft.
(Booking photo is attached) https://t.co/9P6nwD6GKt pic.twitter.com/LusJ3qh8B9
— Columbus Division of Police (@ColumbusPolice) May 21, 2020
Detectives say Skaggs was panhandling in the 600 block of Neil Avenue at 5:05 p.m. Monday when he approached Rupert Starr, who was walking with a cane in each hand, and asked for money.
After Starr gave him money, Skaggs allegedly came up from behind the elderly man and tried to steal his wallet. During the struggle, Starr was knocked to the ground.
97YO VETERAN ROBBED/KNOCKED DOWN-HELP ID SUSPECT:
5/18/20@5:05pm-Rupert “Twink” Starr was approached by a panhandler@Neil Ave.
*The ‘09 @stonewallcmh Pride Parade Grand Marshall has an amazing life story: https://t.co/xIX48Amz21
Info-CPD:614-645-4588 pthomas@columbuspolice.org pic.twitter.com/I737eUPUlw
— Columbus Division of Police (@ColumbusPolice) May 19, 2020
An officer found Starr’s empty wallet nearby, police said.
Security video from a nearby gas station captured Skaggs prior to the robbery and images were distributed on social media.
Police identified Skaggs from the video and detectives say an ex-girlfriend confirmed the identity so an arrest warrant was issued charging Skaggs with robbery and theft from an elderly or disabled person, both felonies.