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Would-be robber loses cash to cane-wielding veteran When a would-be robber swiped a can of cash that Richard Powers was collecting at a Medford grocery store Monday for Disabled American Veterans, the 75-year-old Navy vet wasn't going to take it sitting down. "That money is veterans' money," Power said, "and I wasn't about to let him get away with it." So Powers hobbled through the Food 4 Less parking lot after the thief, eventually catching up to the man less than half his age and earning the DAV's can of cash back with three stiff whacks of his wooden cane. Now the would-be robber, Darren S. Lukkes, 36, no address available, is sitting in the Jackson County Jail with robbery and drug charges, as well as a few welts on his neck. About 4 p.m., Lukkes allegedly approached a table where Powers was collecting DAV donations in front of the Food 4 Less at 2230 Biddle Road, according to the Medford Police Department. Lukkes grabbed the can, which contained about $100 cash, and ran toward a U-Haul truck as some store employees gave chase, police said. Powers caught up to Lukkes and whacked him through the open truck window. Powers said his cane fell into the truck, so he opened the door, grabbed his cane and struck Lukkes again. After one more whack, Lukkes dropped the can in a puddle and sped off, said Powers, who jumped on the collection can. Passersby followed the U-Haul and telephoned police, who caught up with Lukkes when he jumped from the moving truck - his wife was then driving - in the Lowe's hardware parking lot on Crater Lake Highway. "After (Lukkes) hit the pavement at 20 mph, he was done," Medford police Sgt. Roy Skinner said. "There was no more fight in him." Skinner arrested Lukkes on charges of third-degree robbery, possession of methamphetamine, second-degree theft and driving under the influence of intoxicants. He was lodged at the Jackson County Jail on $18,000 bail. |
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