Florida woman, 83, seemingly unfazed after violent lotto robbery: 'I wasn't scared'
Man arrested, accused of violently robbing an elderly woman
Orange County deputies found the man accused of violently robbing an elderly woman of her lotto winnings. FOX 35's Randi Hildreth spoke to the victim and Orange County Sheriffs Office about the incident and how to prevent incidents like this one.
ORLANDO, Fla. - Orange County deputies say they've found the man accused of violently robbing an elderly woman on Wednesday.
What we know:
Ruth Monroe says she was just walking out of a store with her lottery winnings when he lunged at her.
"He grabbed my hand and the money," said Ruth Monroe.
But that's not all.
Surveillance video appears to show the suspect, Diego Fleury, wrestling with 83-year-old Ruth Monroe - even knocking her to the ground.
Orange County deputies say Fleury then made off with her $200 lotto winnings.
What they're saying:
"I don't remember hitting the ground," said Monroe, "For me and my age, I wasn't scared. But looking at his face - his face was cold."
The incident happened at the Buddy's Food and Lotto off Curry Ford Road.
Employees there say the other man in the video is the manager trying to help Monroe too. "He's a very, very, nice guy. Whatever he can do, he tries to help everybody. Something like this especially," said Aesun Lee, a co-worker.
Fleury is now charged with Robbery and Battery on a person 65 years of age or older.
Monroe said she knew investigators were looking for a suspect – but didn't realize they'd released the surveillance video until she was watching FOX 35.
"Heard Curry Ford Road. 83-year-old woman getting robbed," said Monroe.
In a new arrest report, deputies say an anonymous caller tipped them off that Fleury was hiding out at a home about a ½ mile away from the convenience store.
Deputies say Fleury ran when they got there - but was arrested a street over.
Orange County officials are reminding you of the little things you can do to try to protect yourself. "Be aware of your surroundings. Don't give them the opportunity to take your money. Put your money away," said Corporal Will Ramirez, Orange County Sheriffs Office.
As for Monroe – she says she's a regular lotto player and that's not changing. However, she's heeding the Corporal's advice and plans to hide her money on her walk to her car if she wins again.
Monroe says she was back at the convenience store Thursday morning to buy another ticket when a stranger who heard about what happened to her wrote her a check for $250.
Diego Fleury is expected in court Friday.
The Source: The information in this article comes from reporting done by FOX 35's Randi Hildreth.
STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 35 ORLANDO:
- Download the FOX Local app for breaking news alerts, the latest news headlines
- Download the FOX 35 Storm Team Weather app for weather alerts & radar
- Sign up for FOX 35's daily newsletter for the latest morning headlines
- FOX Local: Stream FOX 35 newscasts, FOX 35 News+, Central Florida Eats on your smart TV