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Vietnam Veteran In Wheelchair Mugged In Santa Ana

SANTA ANA (CBS) — A 41-year-old man was behind bars Wednesday on suspicion of mugging a Vietnam veteran in a wheelchair and taking $880 in cash, Santa Ana police said.

Robert Dean Joyce was arrested Tuesday night when the victim identified him a police lineup, officials said.

Michael Shaurette, 62, was going to a Burger King restaurant in the 300 block of East First Street in his wheelchair when Joyce and another man mugged him, police said.

Joyce pinned Shaurette's arms down while the other robber rummaged through his belonging, taking the $880.

Santa Ana police issued a bulletin about the suspects, and two Tustin police officers who saw it went to a motel in Tustin and found Joyce out front.

The at-large suspect was described as black, 20-25 years old, about 5 feet 10 inches and 175 pounds.

The Santa Ana Police Foundation is accepting donations on Shaurette's behalf. Log onto their website for more information.

(©2011 CBS Local Media, a division of CBS Radio Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Wire services contributed to this report.)

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