Police charge one-armed man with unarmed robbery

Springfield police charged a one-armed man with unarmed robbery early Wednesday afternoon following an incident that occurred about noon on Wednesday a block away from the police station. The suspect, Manuel Hernandez, 28, of 52 Avon Place, goes by the street name of Lefty, Sgt. John M. Delaney said.

Hernandez robbed a 58-year-old man of his wallet at the corner of Chestnut and Mattoon streets about noon, Delaney, aide to Police Commissioner William J. Fitchet said. The wallet contained $354 in cash, he said.



The victim reported the robbery at police headquarters, 130 Pearl Street, and provided a description of the suspect.

Sgt. Mark Rolland spotted Hernandez a short time later on Worthington Street and arrested him, Delaney said. The victim identified Hernandez as the man who robbed him. Police recovered the victim's wallet - including the $354 in cash - from Hernandez's pocket.