Indianapolis man with disability followed home and robbed

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — An Indianapolis man has a warning for others after he says someone followed him home and robbed him.

It happened in the 5400 block of North Alton Avenue Tuesday night.

Timothy Houser has a rare genetic disease that affects his strength and muscle movement. He has been wheelchair bound for the past seven years. He said he had no idea that someone’s kind gesture would end up costing him thousands of dollars.

Houser said it all started in the parking lot of Wal-Mart on Lafayette Road when someone offered to help him load up groceries.

“I was having trouble trying to hold everything so a guy came up and offered to help me and I said sure,” said Timothy Houser, robbery victim.

Houser said the man had something else on his mind after putting everything away in the wheelchair accessible van.

“He was actually in my van putting the bags on the floor and then when he was done, he said, do you have a dollar or two for gas?” said Houser.

Houser told the man he didn’t have any cash and the two parted ways. He said he was driving back home when he noticed someone following him.

“I slowed down for the three-way stop. I slowed down and I stopped, but he kept going and went around me then he pulled over in front of me and stopped,” said Houser. “I thought what a jerk so I went around him and kept going.”

Houser said the driver kept cutting him off and would not stop.

“He was like within an inch of hitting the front of my car,” said Houser. “He actually ran me off the road against a tree. I didn’t hit the tree, but if I gone any further I would have.”

Houser said he had no idea what was going on until the driver showed his face.

“I said what’s your problem and then he hopped out of his car, I knew immediately it was the guy from Wal-Mart,” said Houser. “He ran around and backed his car over to me, he goes ‘where’s the bag? Give me the bag!’”

Houser told 24-Hour News 8 he put up a fight, but it was no match.

“I have a gun right down here in my wheelchair. He saw me reaching for that and that’s when he punched me in the face,” said Houser. “I was just in a daze.”

Houser said the thief got away with his medicine, a gun, cash and cashier’s checks worth $25,000.

“I want to get the word out, who this guy is, he’s a coward,” said Houser. “He obviously knew I was disabled because he helped me, so that’s why he did it.”

Houser said he received that money from his late father after selling off his business. He said he has been meaning to go to the bank.

“He had no idea what was in that bag as far as he know probably $20 or $30.. He saw a $20, $5, and some $1s. He had no idea what was in that bag there was far more than that in there,” said Houser.

Houser told police the suspect is a skinny man with shoulder length dreadlocks about 6’0″ to 6’2″ feet tall. He was last seen wearing a black t-shirt and driving off in a white Monte Carlo.

Police said they are reviewing security video in the parking lot of Wal-Mart.

If you know anything about this case you’re asked to call police.

A GoFundMe account has been set up for the victim if you would like to help click here.