YUCAIPA, Calif. (AP) - A Good Samaritan suffered fatal stab wounds while chasing a thief who allegedly stabbed a woman and stole her purse in Southern California, authorities said.
Troy Cansler, 47, chased the robber for about a block after the holdup in a grocery store parking lot Sunday night in Yucaipa, the Riverside Press-Enterprise reported (https://bit.ly/1rJNKR7). He was stabbed and taken to a hospital, where he died.
“It didn’t surprise anyone what he did. He was always helping the underdog,” said his wife, Autum Rae Cansler. “He was a good guy (and) a hard worker.”
The suspect, Vincent Alex DeLeon, 26, was arrested and booked for investigation of murder, attempted murder, robbery and grand theft, jail records showed. A sheriff’s spokesman didn’t know if DeLeon had retained a lawyer.
The woman who was attacked was expected to recover from her injuries. Her name was not released.
Cansler, an iron worker, leaves behind his wife and their 12-year-old daughter.
“I know him: He was just thinking about stopping the guy,” his wife said. “He was always in harm’s way because he thought he was invincible. He’d say, ’Nothing’s ever going to happen to me.’”
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Information from: The Press-Enterprise, https://www.pe.com
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