Elderly robbery victim bruised but tenacious

A bruised and battered 93-year-old woman showed Friday that her tenacity is intact despite a robbery in her home.

Minnie Cummins, who was robbed Sunday morning, accepted a $1,000 check Friday from Charlie Thomas, who raised the money on his morning KDRO radio show.

“I think it’s wonderful; it couldn’t be any better,” Cummins said of the community support.

The man charged in the robbery, James D. Kohrs, 27, was arrested Wednesday and remained in Pettis County Jail Friday in lieu of $160,000 bond. Kohrs was charged Thursday with second-degree robbery, third-degree assault, third-degree elder abuse and second-degree property damage.

Kohrs confessed to robbing Cummins of her purse after she let him inside to use the telephone, according to court documents. He told officers he used $300 in the purse to buy crack cocaine.

Cummins said the man “beat me up something terrible,” broke her telephones, knocked her down and kicked and hit her.

“I’m just lucky I got out as well as I did,” she said.

Cummins, whose face is bruised, said her knee still hurts.

“It’s going to take time,” she said. “Of course, you get to be 93 years old, and you don’t get back so quick.”

Cummins’ grandson, Eric Walker, accompanied her to the radio station. Walker, from northern Virginia, made the trip to Missouri to help care for his grandmother. He was shocked when he heard about the robbery.

“It’s one thing to rob somebody. ... But to push her down, and beat her up, come on,” Walker said.

Guardsman Security donated its services to patrol Cummins’ home.

“It was a terrible crime, but I’m really impressed with the way the community has responded,” Walker said.

During Thomas’ show Friday morning, Sedalia Detective Ron Parrish returned Cummins’ purse and its contents, including keys, a checkbook and identification.

Cummins, who retired from Town and Country Shoes, has lived here since the 1940s. She plans to return to her home, but Walker said the family has yet to decide where Cummins will live. Cummins said if she returns home, she will be a little apprehensive.

“I think I’m going to be locked up good,” she said.

Marsha Lefevers, the woman who kicked off at least 100 donations with a $10 contribution, was at the radio station to meet Cummins. Lefevers said she heard about the robbery on the radio and thought about her own grandmother.

“I thought, ‘You know, something needs to be done,’ ” she said. “That’s the least I could do.”

Lefevers also took Cummins to get repairs on the eyeglasses that the robber broke in the attack.

Cummins has no forgiveness when it comes to her attacker. One radio caller suggested a prayer for the accused robber.

“I don’t think he’s worth it,” Cummins said.

Walker said he was relieved that police caught the man believed to have robbed his grandmother. He said he holds no ill will toward Kohrs.

“He’s made his own nest,” Walker said. “I hope he gets the help he needs.”

Walker and Cummins planned to have lunch at Eddie’s Drive-In and handle other business while in Sedalia before returning to Kansas City Friday.