Elderly man beaten & robbed

VAN WERT, Ohio (WANE) - The Van Wert Police Department is looking for a man who they say beat and robbed an elderly man early Thursday morning. The victim suffered minor injuries in the incident.

According to police, 86-year-old Wayne McMillen was asleep at his home at 811 Kear Road between 6:30 and 7:00 Thursday morning, when he awoke to the suspect in his bedroom. Van Wert Police Detective Michael Freeman told NewsChannel 15 that after a physical assault, the suspect took property from McMillen. Police described the stolen items as a 2x2 safe containing cash, prescription drugs and personal papers.

Freeman said the suspect left the scene in a vehicle that was described as either light colored or white on the back. McMillen was taken to a local hospital and was treated and released with minor injuries.

McMillen's neighbors voiced concern over the situation and are hopeful police can catch the suspect. Neighbor Ann Mavity said she and McMillen often have coffee together, but when she saw him after he returned from the hospital, he wasn't in very good shape.

"He had scratches on his head and on his back and he said his stomach was sore where [the suspect] punched him."

Mavity said McMillen heard only one thing from the suspect: "Where's the safe?" Mavity said that was something that seemed very strange to her.

McMillen wasn't alone in the home at the time of the burglary. Police say his 5-year old great granddaughter was there, but was not involved in the incident. The great granddaughter and her mother, McMillen's granddaughter both live in the home with McMillen.

Police have gotten some good information as they begin their investigation, said Freeman. They're still looking for more though.

Police describe the suspect as a white male with possibly brown hair. They say he is six feet tall, about 225 pounds. A partial description of the getaway vehicle has been released as well. They believe the vehicle is light colored or white, at least on the back portion of the car.

The Van Wert Police Department is asking anyone with something to add to the investigation to call police.