ARCADIA — The violent robbery of two elderly Arcadia residents outside their home earlier this week remained largely a mystery Friday, authorities said.
Two teenagers attacked the couple Wednesday, stole the man’s wallet as well as the woman’s wedding ring and watch and tried unsuccessfully to tie the couple up before running off, police said.
The robbers were male teenagers of medium build who wore dark clothing, Arcadia police Sgt. Stan Flores said. The victims were unable to provide a further description.
“It’s one of those things where you just scratch your head,” he said. “It raises a ton of questions. Unfortunately, I don’t have the answers right now.”
The investigation continues, he said, however police did not initially believe the couple — a 70-year-old man and a 67-year-old woman — were specifically targeted in the crime.
“There’s nothing at this point that leads us to believe that,” Flores said.
Other than the victims themselves, he added, no witnesses to the crime had come forward Friday.
The incident did not appear similar to any other robberies Arcadia police have seen, he added.
The robbery occurred about 7:30 p.m. Wednesday after the couple had just returned to their house in the 300 block of West Duarte Road, Arcadia police Lt. Colleen Flores said.
The man was unloading groceries from his car when the robbers punched him in the face several times and stole his wallet, which contained more than $1,000, the lieutenant said.
When the man’s wife heard her husband calling for help and came outside, police said, the robbers pushed her down and took her wedding ring and watch.
“One of the suspects put packing tape on the elderly female’s mouth while both suspects attempted to use zip-ties around the couple’s wrists,” Lt. Flores said in a written statement.
The plastic bindings were apparently too small, police said, and the robbers ran away. The elderly couple suffered minor injuries in the incident and did not wish to be hospitalized.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Arcadia Police Department.