Dec 1, 2009 11:41 pm US/Eastern
Dying Philadelphia Man Robbed Of Watch In ER
PHILADELPHIA (CBS 3) ―
-
-
Police say three men stole a watch from Joaquin Rivera as he passed away inside a Philadelphia hospital.
Philadelphia Folklore Project
An educator and community leader became a victim of crime as he lapsed into unconsciousness in the waiting room of a Philadelphia hospital Saturday. Police say as the victim was dying, instead of seeking help, three people saw it as an opportunity to rob him.
Police say in the final moments of his life, 63-year-old Joaquin Rivera was robbed of his wrist watch.
"I'm more terrified that my father's last memories may be of someone robbing him, that makes me sick to my stomach," Rivera's daughter Inez said.
Police records indicate Rivera walked into the Aria Health Frankford Hospital emergency room at about 10:45 p.m. Saturday complaining of pain in his left arm and torso. As his wait to be treated moved into its second hour, Rivera lost consciousness.
"I knew the guy was dead, I could tell. I'm not a doctor, but I knew immediately that the guy was dead," eyewitness Luis Carrasquillo said.
Police say during this time, suspect Richard Atlen and two others removed Rivera's watch, passed it around and left the hospital with it.
"I'm like these guys are incredible, this man is dead and they're robbing him," Carrasquillo said.
Carrasquillo told Eyewitness News he quickly jumped up in an effort to alert hospital workers that Rivera was dead and that he was just robbed.
"The security guard from the hospital, I tell him 'yo this guy's dead man,'" Carrasquillo said.
Carrasquillo said he was surprised from the reaction he got when he sought help from a security guard for Rivera.
"And I'm like 'he's dead, the man's dead' and he's like 'relax I'll go get some help' and he just casually walked over," Carrasquillo explained.
Rivera was pronounced dead one hour and 19 minutes after arriving at the hospital.
Alten was taken into custody at the hospital and remains behind bars in lieu of bail. Police say they may release hospital security video in hopes of catching the other two suspects.
Aria Frankford Hospital has released the following statement:
"Due to the pending criminal investigation and citing patient confidentiality, Aria Health is unable to comment with regards to the circumstances surrounding this patient's death. Aria Health is cooperating fully with the Philadelphia Police Department in connection with the investigation and offers its condolences to the patient's family. Aria officials are conducting an intensive internal investigation into this event and are coordinating their efforts with law enforcement."
(© MMX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
Hottest Celebrity Redheads
Click to enlarge
Stumble It!
Reporting
Comments