LONGWOOD, Fla. — Deputies are searching for a robber who they said tied and gagged a Longwood man and his friend.
The man and his friend said they were left bound to the bed, while the robber took off with a check for thousands of dollars, credit cards and a car.
The victims said the alleged attacker had befriended them before the robbery.
Because of that, he's been able to identify his attacker for Seminole County deputies.
“He said he had a daughter who was waiting on her liver transplant,” said victim Cecil Lindsley, 85.
That was the story a man used to befriend Lindsley and his friend Mary in a Longwood mobile home park.
Claiming to be a neighbor, to have a sick daughter and financial troubles.
“He seemed like he was real nice, and he was,” said Lindsley.
Lindsley said the accused robber stopped by around 10 a.m. Thursday, seemingly to chat, then he walked into the kitchen, and grabbed a knife.
“He was sitting there and he jumped up, had that knife out. He said, 'You and her follow me,’” said Lindsley.
After leading Lindsley and his 89-year-old friend to the bedroom, he made them lie face down, while he cut a towel into strips.
“He had us tied at the feet, hands and gagged,” said Lindsley.
Lindsley said the thief made a quick getaway in his car and took a check for $5,500, their credit cards, IDs and cellphones.
When they were sure he was gone, the victims were able to get loose and ask a neighbor to call 911.
Deputies said they know who they're looking for and are in the process of getting a warrant for his arrest.
“If he can be caught, they'll catch him,” said Lindsley.
Lindsley is still missing his car, a 2014 white Ford Focus, with a Korean War veteran plate on the front.
He said he’d like that back, but says he's mostly relieved that he and his friend weren't hurt.