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Jan 7, 2009 4:00 pm US/Central
Woman Struggles To Pay Bills After Home Invasion
Elderly Woman Says Man Demanded Purse, Left Her With No Cash
FORT WORTH (CBS 11 / TXA 21) ―
Sherian Martinez says she always locks her doors and windows but that wasn't enough to stop a determined robber from getting to her.
The 61-year-old woman says she's afraid to sleep in her own home in the 5900 block of Baymort Court in East Fort Worth after Monday's home invasion robbery.
Hers is the latest in a growing number of crimes against older residents.
"I was scared. I didn't know what to do," Martinez recalls.
She said a stranger knocked on her door about 10:30 p.m. and asked for a can of beans.
Martinez told the man 'no' and sent him away, but says he came back a short time later.
"I heard something go 'boom.' "
Martinez said she came out of her bedroom and a man standing in her living room. He apparently had kicked in her front door.
He then demanded the woman's purse and pushed her as she cried, Martinez recalled.
"I went over to the chair to grab my purse. I didn't want him to take it. He grabbed it out of my hand and my cordless phone and he went out the door with it."
Martinez says the robber got away with all of her cash, her thyroid and cholesterol medications and all of her identification.
As someone who is dependent on Social Security checks and food stamps, the financial loss is extremely difficult. She must now find a way to pay this month's electric and phone bills.
"I had $210 left. I paid my rent and I paid my water bill, and that's all I had left."
Martinez said the robber was wearing a hooded jacket so she wasn't able to give a detailed description of the man.
The Fort Worth Police Victim's Assistance Coordinator is accepting donations for Sherian Martinez. Checks or money orders can be mailed to or dropped off at the following address:
Fort Worth Police Dept.
Attn: Michelle Morgan
Victim Assistance Coordinator
350 W. Belknap
Fort Worth, TX 76102
Anyone with questions can contact Michelle Morgan at 817-392-4390.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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