Panhandler robs motorist of money, cellphone at knife-point Tuesday morning near mall, police say

A motorist who rolled down his window to slip a dollar bill to a panhandler got more than he bargained for Tuesday morning when the man he was trying to help pulled a knife on him, and robbed him of his money and cellphone as he drove out of a mall parking lot in southwest Topeka.

Police said the incident occurred about 8:30 a.m. just west of S.W. 21st and Wanamaker, on the south side of West Ridge Mall.

Police watch commander Lt. Chris Heaven told The Topeka Capital-Journal the victim said he was driving out of the south mall exit and preparing to enter S.W. 21st when he stopped his vehicle to give a dollar to a man standing at that location asking for money.

“The victim rolled down his window and offered him a dollar,” Heaven said. “However, the man pulled out a knife and demanded more money.”

The victim complied with the man’s demands, giving him his money and cellphone.

The victim then drove to his place of employment at a west Topeka apartment complex, where he called police. He wasn’t reported to have been injured.

The robber was described as a white man in his 40s with a “scruffy” appearance. No arrests had been reported as of early Tuesday afternoon.

Anyone with information may call police detectives at (785) 368-9400 or Capital Area Crime Stoppers at (785) 234-0007.

Contact reporter Phil Anderson at (785) 295-1195 or follow live reports @Philreports on Twitter. Like him on Facebook at facebook.com/philreports.tcj/

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