Police Seek Man Accused Of Attempting To Rob Elderly WWII Veteran
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- Pittsburgh Police are on the lookout for a man accused of breaking into a Lawrenceville home and attacking an elderly World War II veteran in an attempted robbery.
The suspect, 35-year-old Timothy Lau, has no permanent address, but is known to frequent the Lawrenceville neighborhood.
Detectives say Lau is accused of breaking into the home of an 89-year-old Lawrenceville man early Tuesday morning in the 43rd Street and Butler Street area.
According to police, Lau is accused of knocking the elderly man to the floor in the attempted robbery.
The victim briefly pointed a snub nose revolver at Lau, who police say broke in through a basement door. However, authorities say Lau snatched the gun away from the man before any shots were fired.
"When he woke up, he said he saw a bald, white male standing over his bed," said Acting Pittsburgh Police Commander Daniel Herrmann. "The 89-year-old is a highly-decorated World War II veteran, and he pointed a snub nose revolver at the actor."
The elderly man then attempted to thwart off the attacker with a pair of scissors.
Investigators say Lau ran from the house with the victim's gun, but he didn't get any money.
Acting Pittsburgh Police Commander Daniel Herrmann told KDKA-TV News the victim recognized the suspect because a few days earlier, he had hired him to do some yard work.
When he paid Lau, the suspect saw he kept his money in the bedroom.
"The resident recognized this bald, white male, because he had hired him to cut down some hedges in his backyard a few days earlier," said Commander Herrmann.
If you recognize Lau, or know his whereabouts, Pittsburgh Crime Stoppers would like to hear from you, at 412-255-8477.
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