Church Donates Reward Money To Find Man Who Preyed On Elderly Woman

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MIAMI GARDENS (CBSMiami) – Members of a Miami Gardens church have stepped up to help an 80-year old woman who was robbed at a drug store check out counter.

Sunday morning, Pastor Eric Readon invited Juana Hamilton to the New Beginning Church where he gave her the $280 cash that was stolen from her. And the giving didn't stop there as one-by-one, church members also gave her money.

"I wanna be a blessing to her," said Pastor Readon in front of a packed house in church.

On Monday, Readon dropped off a check for $500 to Crime Stoppers in Broward to put toward the reward for information on the person that robbed Hamilton.

Hamilton was robbed on June 8th at a CVS on West Davie Blvd when a man standing in line behind her suddenly grabbed her money and took off.

"It really broke my heart to see that somebody would do an elderly woman like this," said Readon who doesn't know Hamilton.

The money stolen from Hamilton was from her monthly Social Security check which she relies on to pay her bills.

Hamilton said she felt helpless and Pastor Readon said he wants the heartless thief captured.

"I care about people, I love my community and it hurts my heart to see an elderly woman being taken advantage of," said Readon.

Hamilton doesn't have any family. But according to Pastor Readon, that has now changed.

"We're not going to stop here. We're going to continue to work with her, to protect her and continue to pursue this manhunt until this guy is brought to justice," said Readon.

Police are still looking for the thief and Hamilton also believes he had an accomplice.

Anyone with information is urged to call Crime Stoppers at (954) 493-8477 (TIPS).