Man allegedly robs disabled man in wheelchair in Worcester

WORCESTER, Mass. - A Worcester man was charged after being accused of robbing a disabled man in a wheelchair.

The victim, David Broni, has been a Worcester native for nearly 30 years, and has been confined in a wheelchair for about three.

Broni says he's never met someone this low before, and hopes he never has to again.

"I've never encountered that in my life," Broni said. "Living in this city for so many years."

Bron's naturally friendly, so when the suspect approached him on Main Street in Worcester on Sunday, they had a conversation and parted ways.

Then, the suspect started to act strange.

"We were talking, and then he started following me," Broni said. "I said, 'My friend, go.'"

Within moments, the man had snatched Broni's cell phone from his pocket, along with some money.

Broni said he believes his wheelchair made him an easy target.

"Because I got a stroke, and I'm an old man, I cannot fight him," Broni said. "He knows I cannot run. I can't run, I can't fight."

The robber ran down Main Street, and Broni yelled for witnesses to call police.

"There was no way I could get the phone," Broni said. "He can run faster than my wheelchair."

Officers tracked down the suspect, identified as 45-year-old Juan Santiago, and brought him in for questioning.

During questioning, Broni's stolen phone began ringing in Santiago's pocket, leading to his arrest.

The phone and Broni's money were returned to the original owner, and now Broni is sure the suspect will be in trouble for a while.

"What I know is, when you attack somebody like me. Disabled, in a wheelchair, 62, over 62 years old, you're in for a long time," Broni said.

After the incident, Broni is doing well, but he's now left disappointed with the heartless suspect.

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"That's why I am sad," Broni said. "I never met hard people like that."

Police say when the suspect was about to be arrested, he shouted at Broni, calling him a "snitch."

Santiago was arraigned in court on Monday, and was charged with unarmed robbery, assault and battery on a disable person and intimidation of a witness.

Cox Media Group