Elderly lottery winner mugged for her winnings minutes after she collected prize from store

An 83-year-old woman was violently mugged for her $200 lottery winnings just minutes after collecting her prize from a local store in Orange County, Florida. The suspect, 24-year-old Diego Stalin Tavarez Fleury, now faces charges of robbery and battery.

The incident unfolded when Ruth Monroe, the elderly victim, exited the store after receiving her lottery payout. Tavarez Fleury approached Monroe, attempting to snatch her winnings. A quick-thinking store clerk noticed the attack and rushed out to intervene, demanding that Tavarez Fleury leave Monroe alone.

Initially, Tavarez Fleury pretended to comply and began walking away. However, moments later, he turned back, charging at Monroe and reaching for the money. A physical altercation ensued as the clerk struggled to protect Monroe. Despite the clerk's efforts to pull Tavarez Fleury away from the victim, the suspect managed to escape with Monroe’s cash.