He stole my last penny: a driver stole a man's pension in Cordoba

A 82-year-old man was robbed of his pension while returning home in Villa Revol, a suburb south of Córdoba city, Argentina. The incident occurred when he was traveling with his grandson, who had left his pension money inside a bag in the front seat of a ride-hailing vehicle. As both passengers exited the car to help the elderly man into his home, the driver seized the opportunity to steal the money and flee the scene. The victim, named Jorge, had gone to collect his pension along with his grandson, Misael, as they do each month. Upon arriving at their residence, the journey turned into a robbery. The stolen funds were all that Jorge had to cover his monthly expenses. He described the loss as devastating, stating that the thief took “until the last penny.” “I’m in bad shape,” he told reporters. “He took my last pesos. I don’t have money for medicine, for anything, for electricity. We’re in bankruptcy.” Misael explained that his grandfather had difficulty walking due to a swollen knee, making even short distances challenging. They had asked for a ride-hailing service to return home because of this. When they arrived, the young man requested the driver to wait briefly while he helped his grandfather enter the house. During this time, the driver took the bag containing the pension money and drove away. The theft was captured on video by a security camera installed near the victim’s home. The footage shows the driver pulling up around 10:30 a.m. on Monday and parking in front of the entrance. As Misael helps his grandfather move toward the door, the driver remains seated in the vehicle. Once both passengers are outside, the driver grabs the bag and starts the engine. Misael notices the theft after a few moments and tries to stop the vehicle, but it speeds away with the stolen money. The family filed multiple reports with authorities and lodged a complaint with the ride-hailing platform. According to one local television station, the company stated that the driver had been suspended from service, though the perpetrator has yet to be identified. Despite this, Misael expressed frustration over the lack of resolution. “What good does it do me if he’s fired if my grandfather has no money to eat this month?” he asked. Jorge, visibly upset, emphasized the emotional toll of the crime. “He saw the chance and ran. We shouted and everything,” he said. Though the situation leaves them financially and emotionally drained, he added that they will not lose hope. “We don’t know what we’ll do next, but we won’t give up.” The case highlights the vulnerability of older individuals, especially those relying on fixed income, to such crimes. It also underscores the challenges faced by families dealing with financial insecurity and the limitations of current measures in ensuring safety during transportation services. Authorities continue to investigate the incident, and the family awaits further developments.