Shocking moment a thief steals cash from a 95-year-old Hawaiian man as he counts his bills in a Chinatown market
- Video posted on Thursday showed 95-year-old Lupo Fernandez getting robbed while he ran errands at the Oahu Market on Wednesday
- The thief can be seen pacing back and forth before he eventually takes Fernandez’s wallet and flees the scene
- Fernandez – who speaks hardly any English – had about $40 inside his wallet but also had his ID, bus pass and pictures of his family
- Police identified the thief as 49-year-old Remik Ungeni on Friday and he was eventually detained later that day
- Ungeni has been charged with fourth degree theft
Hawaii authorities have detained a man who was seen in a viral video swiping a 95-year-old’s wallet while he was in Chinatown.
Lupo Fernandez’s granddaughter shared a video on Twitter on Thursday morning showing a man robbing her 95-year-old grandfather on Wednesday at the Oahu Market.
‘IF ANYONE KNOWS OR HAVE SEEN THIS GUY BEFORE PLEASE LMK! THE ELDERLY MAN IN THE VIDEO IS MY GRANDPA!’ said user @_Caseeeyx3. ‘THIS GUY BETTER HOPE HPD FINDS HIM BEFORE MY FAMILY DOES!’
Lupo Fernandez’s granddaughter shared a video on Twitter on Thursday morning showing a man robbing her 95-year-old grandfather on Wednesday at the Oahu Market
Video shows the man – dressed in all black – casing Fernandez as he counts his money at a stall
Video shows the man – dressed in all black – casing Fernandez as he counts his money at a stall.
The thief can be seen pacing back and forth before he eventually takes Fernandez’s wallet and flees the scene.
According to @_Caseeeyx3, the particular market where the robbery occurred is frequented by the elderly at that time of the day.
She added that Fernandez’s family wasn’t concerned about the money but moreso about the engraved wallet that contained pictures.
The Kalihi man – who speaks hardly any English – had about $40 inside his wallet but also had his ID, bus pass, and pictures of his family that included some of his late wife.
The thief can be seen pacing back and forth before he eventually takes Fernandez’s wallet and flees the scene
According to @_Caseeeyx3, the particular market where the robbery occurred is frequented by the elderly at that time of the day
Police identified the man as 49-year-old Remik Ungeni on Friday and he was eventually detained later that day, KHON 2 reports. Ungeni was charged with fourth degree theft.
The video going viral helped prompt police to open up an investigation and tips shared throughout the comments helped with the identification of the suspect.
Police identified the man as 49-year-old Remik Ungeni on Friday and he was eventually detained later that day. Ungeni was charged with fourth degree theft.
Hawaii News Now reports that Ungeni frequents the area and has two previous convictions.
And while Ferndandez’s family is ecstatic that he wasn’t physically hurt, they do worry that he may no longer be able to enjoy the same level of independence that he once possessed.
‘I was so sad and I couldn’t sleep last night thinking about it. It was heartbreaking. I don’t want anybody else to do this again,’ said the man’s daughter, who did not wish to be identified.
Sgt. Chris Kim of Honolulu Crimestoppers stressed the importance of keeping an eye out on one’s surroundings.
‘That male’s actions were clearly suspicious, him pacing back and forth you could tell something was up,’ asserted Kim. ‘Just be aware of your surroundings. If possible, have a family member go out with you to run these errands.’
@_Caseeeyx3 shared on Twitter that the wallet has not been recovered yet.
‘As of right now my grandpa did not get his wallet back,’ she said. ‘But we’re thankful this a**hole is in prison!’
@_Caseeeyx3 shared on Twitter that the wallet has not been recovered yet