An 85-year-old Tacony man thwarted an armed robbery attempt yesterday evening by yelling until the gunman retreated, police said.
The man was walking on the 4600 block of Friendship Street around 4:45 p.m. when he told police he saw two men meet each other in the street. He said one of the men, who appeared to be the older of the two, walked back to the corner of Friendship and Ditman streets as the younger man approached the 85-year-old.
Police said the suspect pointed a gun at the victim and demanded money, then attempted to wrestle his wallet out of his pants pocket. The elderly man refused to cooperate and yelled for help until the gunman stopped and walked away.
As the assailant reached the corner of Friendship and Ditman streets, the victim saw the second man join him and flee. The two were last seen alongside each other traveling northbound on Ditman Street.
The gunman is described as a five-foot-eight to five-foot-nine-inch, 150 to 155-pound black man between 18 and 19 years of age wearing a black shirt and black pants. The victim said that the second man, who police are calling a lookout, is an older, stocky, five-foot-six to five-foot-seven-inch black man who weighs between 180 and 190 pounds.
No arrests have yet been made.
