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Man Finds Out His Old Friend Betrayed The Villager Who Helped Raise Them, Brings Him To Justice
Police officer escorting a young man in handcuffs outside a brick building, related to friend robbery and tracking down case.
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Man Finds Out His Old Friend Betrayed The Villager Who Helped Raise Them, Brings Him To Justice

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According to a popular saying, the only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good people to do nothing.

So, when Reddit user PixelHunter-Diana416 heard that a local widower had been robbed, he couldn’t let it slide. You see, the old man wasn’t just a friendly neighbor—he had helped raise everyone in the area and was the kindest person the guy knew.

But once he learned the identity of the thief, it became clear that the incident wasn’t some random crime.

RELATED:

    A kind old man opened up his home to someone in need, only to be betrayed for a couple of dollars

    Man opening drawer with wallet inside, symbolizing tracking down and turning in a childhood friend who committed robbery.

    Image credits: Axwell Wallet (not the actual photo)

    But in the end, the locals reminded him that he hadn’t been forgotten

    Alt text: Childhood friend robs kind old man, guy tracks him down and reports to authorities for justice.

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    Childhood friend caught robbing a kind old man, tracked down and turned in by a concerned guy.

    Text excerpt about a man named David known for petty crimes, with a childhood friend named Robert still in contact despite his actions.

    Text on screen showing a story about a guy learning his childhood friend robbed a kind old man and tracking him down.

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    Text passage describing a guy discovering his childhood friend robbed a kind old man and deciding to turn him in.

    Police officer escorting young man in handcuffs downtown, illustrating friend tracks down and turns in robber.

    Image credits:Kindel Media (not the actual photo)

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    Man and friend track down childhood friend who robbed a kind old man, then turn him in after confronting him.

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    Text excerpt describing a guy tracking down his childhood friend who robbed a kind old man and turning him in to police.

    Text on a white background stating that the childhood friend who robbed a kind old man is now in custody awaiting trial.

    Man learning his childhood friend robbed a kind old man, tracking him down and turning him in for justice.

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    Text excerpt reflecting a guy learning his childhood friend robbed a kind old man and then tracks him down to turn him in.

    Image credits: PixelHunter-Diana416

    It can be very hard to determine exactly why David decided to steal from Robert

    Clinical psychologist Dr. Stanton Samenow, who is an expert in criminal behavior, said, “Poverty has been considered a ‘root cause’ of stealing. However, most poor people don’t steal, and many who are well-off do. A woman who declared she was forced to steal to buy formula and diapers for her baby might convince others to feel sorry for her. However, in … the United States, no one is forced to steal to obtain such necessities that are readily available through a variety of programs and agencies.”

    Peer pressure, according to Samenow, is another frequently cited factor, but then the question is, why did that person choose those particular peers? “Kids and adults gravitate to others who share their interests. The boy who claims, ‘All my friends are doing it’ is disclosing a lot about his choice of friends and therefore revealing something about himself,” Samenow, author of the bestseller Inside the Criminal Mind, said.

    All of this isn’t to dismiss the challenges people face, especially the underprivileged ones, but rather to highlight that theft is often a choice influenced by deeper personal factors rather than solely external circumstances.

    Image credits:AnnaStills (not the actual photo)

    Financial elder abuse can have devastating psychological impacts

    The perpetrators of financial elder abuse typically engage in one or more of the following behaviors to accomplish their goals:

    • Stealing from the victim;
    • Theft by threat, coercion, or intimidation;
    • Scams and fraud, including forgery, caregiver fraud, securities fraud, real estate fraud, and insurance fraud, among others;
    • Exploitation of the victim’s estate and estate planning documents, including undue influence, power of attorney fraud, and breaches of fiduciary duty;
    • Professional malfeasance, such as that committed by doctors, insurance agents, financial advisors, realtors, and the clergy.

    The effects of these despicable actions typically go far beyond the victim’s pockets. Most victims of financial elder abuse also suffer one or more mental health effects, such as severe stress, anxiety, difficulty sleeping, and depression.

    The sad reality is that, as was the case this time, it is most frequently committed by individuals whom the victim trusts—such as friends, caregivers, and housekeepers—as these people are more likely to have access to the victim’s possessions and sensitive financial information.

    Image credits:monkeybusiness (not the actual photo)

    As his story went viral, the guy provided more context in the comments

    Reddit conversation about tracking down a childhood friend who robbed a kind old man in a small village.

    User reading heartfelt comments about tracking down and turning in a childhood friend who robbed a kind old man.

    Reddit comments discussing a childhood friend who robbed a kind old man and was tracked down and turned in.

    Screenshot of an online discussion where a user asks about friends visiting and another responds about bringing them together.

    People were really happy that Robert got the justice he deserved

    Screenshot of a Reddit conversation about a guy tracking down his childhood friend who robbed a kind old man.

    Online conversation showing a user reflecting on turning in his childhood friend who robbed a kind old man.

    Reddit comments showing support for a guy who learns his childhood friend robbed a kind old man and turns him in.

    Screenshot of Reddit comments showing a user mentioning a fan club and a reply about someone's heart exploding.

    Comment thread discussing realization and accountability after a childhood friend robbed a kind old man.

    Alt text: Online comments about a guy learning his childhood friend robbed a kind old man and turning him in.

    Screenshot of a Reddit conversation with users discussing onions and a mix of petty and wholesome comments.

    Screenshot of an online conversation about a man learning his childhood friend robbed a kind old man and taking action to turn him in.

    Reddit conversation about a guy learning his childhood friend robbed a kind old man and turning him in.

    Screenshot of a Reddit conversation about a childhood friend who robbed a kind old man and was tracked down.

    Alt text: Online comment exchange about a childhood friend who robbed a kind old man and was tracked down and turned in.

    Two Reddit users discuss and praise a man for turning in his childhood friend who robbed a kind old man.

    Screenshot of a Reddit conversation where a user asks to say hello to Robert and receives a friendly reply.

    Screenshot of an online conversation where a guy discusses tracking down and turning in his childhood friend for robbery.

    Reddit user comments with text about greeting Robert from Scotland and a positive response in a thread.

    Man learning his childhood friend robbed an old man, tracking him down to report the crime and seek justice.

    Commenters discuss a man tracking down his childhood friend who robbed a kind old man and turning him in.

    Chat conversation showing a user asking to greet Robert and a reply confirming the message will be delivered.

    Reddit conversation screenshot showing user thanking another for a comment about a guy tracking down and turning in a childhood friend.

    Best wishes flew in from all over the world

    Screenshot of a Reddit comment about old men often being reluctant to ask for company or help.

    Comment praising Robert’s kindness and asking to send him a hug and feed animals in Michigan.

    Guy learns childhood friend robbed a kind old man, finds him, and turns him in to the authorities.

    Comment about caring for older people, mentioning talking to them and waiting for a call from a boss about a stationary truck.

    Comment on social media about a guy who learns his childhood friend robbed a kind old man and tracks him down.

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    Rokas Laurinavičius

    Rokas Laurinavičius

    Writer, Senior Writer

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    Rokas is a writer at Bored Panda with a BA in Communication. After working for a sculptor, he fell in love with visual storytelling and enjoys covering everything from TV shows (any Sopranos fans out there?) to photography. Throughout his years in Bored Panda, over 300 million people have read the posts he's written, which is probably more than he could count to.

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    Rokas Laurinavičius

    Rokas Laurinavičius

    Writer, Senior Writer

    Rokas is a writer at Bored Panda with a BA in Communication. After working for a sculptor, he fell in love with visual storytelling and enjoys covering everything from TV shows (any Sopranos fans out there?) to photography. Throughout his years in Bored Panda, over 300 million people have read the posts he's written, which is probably more than he could count to.

    Justinas Keturka

    Justinas Keturka

    Author, BoredPanda staff

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    I'm the Visual Editor at Bored Panda, responsible for ensuring that everything our audience sees is top-notch and well-researched. What I love most about my job? Discovering new things about the world and immersing myself in exceptional photography and art.

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    Justinas Keturka

    Justinas Keturka

    Author, BoredPanda staff

    I'm the Visual Editor at Bored Panda, responsible for ensuring that everything our audience sees is top-notch and well-researched. What I love most about my job? Discovering new things about the world and immersing myself in exceptional photography and art.

    What do you think ?
    Crystalwitch60
    Community Member
    5 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Well done op !! n I’m so glad you are reconnecting with Robert he sounds like a lovely man , where I grew up in uk , I often when n helped at another farm in the next village , I grew up on a farm , n old Danny was so cool , sadly he died before I got to 16 but even now I’m 60 I never forgot the farm , n its lovely that you all stood by him to being David to justice , n from uk out in the sticks still , hi to Robert from me x

    Christos Arvanitis
    Community Member
    5 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Why on earth did somebody downvote you? David, is that you?

    Load More Replies...
    JB
    Community Member
    5 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Unashamedly crying at all the people writing, “Say ‘hi to Robert for me.” Every now and again people restore my faith in humanity.

    Nova Rook
    Community Member
    5 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    A sad story with a nice ending. I like the OP, he's a flawed person trying to do right and putting in the effort. Nice values.

    Load More Comments
    Crystalwitch60
    Community Member
    5 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Well done op !! n I’m so glad you are reconnecting with Robert he sounds like a lovely man , where I grew up in uk , I often when n helped at another farm in the next village , I grew up on a farm , n old Danny was so cool , sadly he died before I got to 16 but even now I’m 60 I never forgot the farm , n its lovely that you all stood by him to being David to justice , n from uk out in the sticks still , hi to Robert from me x

    Christos Arvanitis
    Community Member
    5 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Why on earth did somebody downvote you? David, is that you?

    Load More Replies...
    JB
    Community Member
    5 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Unashamedly crying at all the people writing, “Say ‘hi to Robert for me.” Every now and again people restore my faith in humanity.

    Nova Rook
    Community Member
    5 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    A sad story with a nice ending. I like the OP, he's a flawed person trying to do right and putting in the effort. Nice values.

    Load More Comments
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