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Church Gives Back To Elderly Woman Robbed At Store Counter

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MIAMI GARDENS (CBSMiami) – A Miami Gardens church held service Sunday to replace what was taken from an 80-year-old woman attempting to pay for items at a convenience store counter.

The service was organized by community leader Pastor Eric Readon.

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

Juana 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.

Sunday morning, he invited her 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.

"They have been so good to me, so kind to me," said Hamilton. "Whatever that young man did to me, it turned out to be a blessing for me. And the pain in my heart, there's none anymore."

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

"I thank God for her. And I love her," said Readon. "And we're gonna be there to protect her from this day forward."

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

If you recognize the crook, call Broward Crime Stoppers at (954) 493-8477 (TIPS). There's a cash reward for information leading to an arrest and as always, tipsters can remain anonymous.

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