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95-Year-Old WWII Veteran Fights Off Robber With Cane

MANCHESTER, N.H. (CBS) – Arthur Kemberis may be 95 years old and walks with a cane but this WWII veteran had the strength to fight off a would be robber who tried to steal his wallet.

"I am not a fighter. I am too old to do that but I did lift up my cane and struck him on the shoulder," Kemberis said.

Arthur says the unexpected confrontation unfolded Saturday morning when he went to pick up his wife's prescription at Walgreens in Manchester. Police say that's when a suspect began following Arthur inside the store.

"I took the money out and he saw me after I took out the amount and I pushed everything back in my wallet," Kemberis said.

Moments later outside in the parking lot the man approached Arthur and tried to grab his wallet several times but Arthur even at the age of 95 wouldn't stand for it.

"He saw me coming up to strike him on the shoulders. I hit him three or four times," Kemberis said.

Kamberis wasn't hurt.

"He wasn't very aggressive, but I was," Kemberis said.

Seconds later a driver passing by saw the struggle got out of his car to help and the suspect ran away. "And I told him what a splendid thing he tried to do because something worse could've happened," Kemberis said.

Arthur says he hopes the man who tried to rob him will get his life together. "I would say to him stay honest that's all," Kemberis said.

Police released this surveillance photo of his alleged attacker and they hope someone will be able to identify the man.

Manchester Robbery
Police say this man tried to rob a 95-year-old veteran in Manchester, NH on May 2, 2015. (Photo credit: Manchester, NH Police)

He's described as white, approximately 5-feet-10 inches tall, about 165 pounds with light brown hair and brown eyes. Police believe he may be in his early thirties.

He was wearing a gray jacket, gray hat and light colored shoes.

Anyone with information should call Manchester Police at 603-668-8711 or their Crimeline at 603-624-4040.

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