"...prosecutors today charged two Kansas City men with beating a 54-year-old homeless man with a brick and robbing him early Thursday."

The violence against individuals experiencing homelessness is such a sad testament to what has become of our society.  I'm constantly told of attacks, thefts and strong-arm robberies, A Nashville icon who sits in a wheelchair down on 2nd ave north of Broadway, (usually by the Spaghetti factory) playing his guitar for passersby has been mugged at least three times over the past couple of months.  The last incident his attackers actually tipped him out of his wheelchair and into the gutter, then stole his change bucket and his guitar.  

Friends on the police force tell me they've stepped up patrols in the area and are hoping to catch the perpetrators in the act the next time. 

Sigh.

What I don't understand is why anyone would rob a homeless individual?  They don't have but a few dollars to their name.  Surely there are bigger and better pickins elsewhere.  

Of course, thieves are like that, you know; targeting the weak and defenseless.  Pathetic cowards who wouldn't know an honest wage if it bit them on the ass.  If only we treated thieves as bad as we treat the homeless; there wouldn't be a thief left in the country...

Two accused of robbing, attacking homeless veteran in KC

By CHRISTINE VENDEL

The Kansas City Star

Rolando Aaron (left) and Paul W. Simmons

Jackson County prosecutors today charged two Kansas City men with beating a 54-year-old homeless man with a brick and robbing him early Thursday.

Rolando Aaron and Paul W. Simmons, both 19, were charged with first-degree robbery in the 3:20 a.m. attack at Veteran’s Memorial Park, W. 43rd Street and J.C. Nichols Parkway.

The victim, a Vietnam veteran, told police he was awakened early Thursday by someone rifling through his pockets. Six males surrounded him. They told him it was a “simple robbery,” according to court records, but the victim stood and fought.

The suspects hit him in the head and back with a brick and tried to flee in a pickup truck with his cell phone, a pair of shoes and $500 from his pocket. The victim jumped into the truck and struggled with the suspects until they pulled into a QuikTrip parking lot at 4327 Main St., where the victim got out and called police.

Officers later found five males walking near Archibald Street and Broadway. The victim identified them as the robbers, according to court records. Two juveniles were taken to the juvenile jail. Prosecutors charged Aaron and Simmons. Police released the third adult suspect.