Yarmouth police help vacationing disabled veteran and his family after robbery at water park
Yarmouth police are pitching in to help a disabled Marine veteran and his family after they were robbed while vacationing in the town on Wednesday.
Police said Robert Watson, his wife, and their two young children were vacationing in Plymouth when they decided to visit the Cape Cod Inflatable Park in Yarmouth for the day. At the park, a man and his young son befriended the family from Jacksonville, North Carolina, and thanked Watson for his service, according to police.
When the Watsons returned from taking their children down a slide for a few minutes they found their belongings, including their wallets containing their cash, bank cards, and ID’s, were gone along with the man, police said. Robert Watson’s military and veterans’ affairs cards were also taken.
A witness told police that she saw a “heavy set man” walk out of the park carrying a bag matching the description of the family’s beach bag.
“The victim and his family were left with no money or identification,” police said. “Cape Cod Inflatable Park gave them $100 so they could have food and gas money for the night and they returned to Plymouth.”
On Thursday, when the family arrived at the Yarmouth police station to help with the investigation, the department presented them with funds from the US Marine Corporal Nicholas G. Xiarhos Memorial Fund at Citizens Bank.
https://www.facebook.com/yarmouthpolice/photos/a.170858422929182.46831.156644224350602/1322768447738168/?type=3&theater
The fund was set up in memory of Yarmouth Deputy Police Chief Steven Xiarhos’ son, who was killed in Afghanistan in 2009.
Employees and customers at the bank also made direct donations to the family, police said. Fox25 reports that three restaurants and two hotels in Yarmouth have also offered to host the family.
Watson told the station he’s surprised at how supportive the Cape community has been.
“It’s amazing how close and friendly so many people are,” he said.
The family plans to travel home in the next few days, but police said anyone who wants to help them can donate to the Xiarhos Memorial Fund or drop funds at the Yarmouth Police Department Headquarters to be sent to the Watsons.
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