Police: Robber prayed with disabled victim

Published 12:43 pm Friday, October 7, 2011

NEW CASTLE, Pa. — Police say a man stopped to pray while robbed a woman in a wheelchair after breaking into her western Pennsylvania home.

Thirty-two-year-old Christopher Perretti II, of New Castle, is in the Lawrence County Jail awaiting a hearing on charges including burglary and robbery. Court records don’t list an attorney.

The New Castle News reports Perretti forced open a door at the woman’s house about 10:30 p.m. on Sept. 30. Once inside, he demanded money and the woman gave him $5, but he wanted more. The woman told police she began praying as Perretti pushed past her to take $20 from her purse. Perretti apologized — though he didn’t give the money back — and knelt down as she prayed before running away.

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Police found him a short time later.