Police charge man who allegedly pickpocketed grandfather at Melbourne RSL
Police have charged a man after he allegedly snatched the wallet out of the back pocket of an elderly man at a Melbourne Returned Services League (RSL) club.
CCTV footage captured the moment the thief is accused of stealing from Douglas Arthur as he used a walking frame to cross the floor of the Glenroy RSL on August 3.
The 86-year-old grandfather said he wasn't aware the theft had occurred until he saw the footage.
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The 86-year-old grandfather said he wasn't aware the theft had occurred until he saw the footage. Nine
"All I know is that I went to play the pokies and realised I didn't have my wallet," Arthur told 9News.
He said he couldn't believe it happened.
"I was dumbfounded," Arthur said.
"People usually pickpocket people at the races or the football, but you wouldn't think it (would happen) at a RSL.
"It was my cards, my pension card, my seniors card and all my personal cards. Thank god I didn't have a credit card."
Glenroy RSL President Ken White said he was theft was "absolutely disgraceful".
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A man was caught on camera allegedly stealing a wallet from an elderly man at Glenroy RSL. Nine
"It really hits me, we try and run a clean place for elderly people to enjoy themselves," he said.
"This is just disgraceful and we will support Doug and work something out.
"We try our best to look after the elderly and veterans."
Detectives arrested a 25-year-old man this afternoon at a Pascoe Vale address.
He has since been charged with theft, possess prohibited weapon and possess drug of dependence.
Arthur's personal documents and cards from the wallet were all recovered, police said.
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