DAYTON — A 70-year-old Dayton man victimized by a daylight robbery earlier this week wept in his living room Saturday as several local community members donated cash and other items to help him get by.

John Thacker, who relies on a wheelchair, had visited a Food-For-Less grocery store a few blocks from his Jersey Street home Thursday afternoon.

As he returned home after cashing a check, a friend returned to the store to pick up dog food. A suspect quickly entered his home, ripped the cash from Thacker’s shirt pocket and fled the scene. So far, no arrests have been made.

Thacker said he tried to fight the suspect off with a wooden stick, but it was no use.

“I tried to defend myself but I couldn’t,” he said.

Sine the robbery, however, off-duty police, local residents and other community organizations have stepped in to help Thacker and his two dogs, Lucky and Muttley.

“I don’t care about myself,” Thacker said Saturday. “I care about my dogs.”

Thacker had lived in the Jersey Street residence for six years and has never faced a similar incident.

On Saturday, members of the Animal Resource Center of Montgomery County dropped off several bags of dog food and toys for Thacker’s pets. Staff at the shelter also chipped in their own cash to help Thacker get by until his next check.

Staff members saw the story on the news and felt they needed to help, said Mick Sagester, shelter supervisor.

“The number one thing he was worried about was his dogs being fed,” Sagester said of Thacker. “It touched our heart.”

Feeding the dogs likely won’t be an issue for weeks, as stacks of dog food lined the walls of Thacker’s two-story home.

Off-duty officers also stopped by the home Friday evening to donate food, said Sgt. Monica Evans, of the Dayton Police Department.

A friend is now living with Thacker to help prevent a similar incident. Thacker said he was stunned by the generosity of his neighbors. One individual, he said, drove from Troy to donate items for assistance.

“Thank God for the people of Dayton,” Thacker said.

Despite the brazen robbery, Sagester said ultimately, it showed residents are willing to take care of each other.

“It just brought out the best in our community,” Sagester said.

Contact this reporter at (937) 328-0355 or msanctis@coxohio.com