Officers with the Gainesville Police Department have arrested a homeless man accused of targeting older members of the community as they were out shopping.
According to a social media post from the department, investigators discovered that 43-year-old David Wayne Humphries, Jr. targeted both victims as they were in the parking lots of local retailers. In the first incident, Humphries allegedly waited in the parking lot of the RaceTrac on EE Butler Parkway and then came up behind a 61-year-old man as the latter was walking to his car. Humphries attempted to take the victim's wallet and a scuffle took place, then Humphries fled on foot with the victim's reading glasses.
In a second incident, Humphries allegedly targeted a 72-year-old woman in the parking lot of the Walmart on Shallowford Road. Humphries stole the victim's purse, but was apprehended shortly after by officers that were nearby.
Humphries faces charges of robbery, exploitation of an elderly person and robbery by snatching.
The post encourages older members of the community to be on the lookout while in public and asks for other members of the community to look out on their behalf, as well.
