Man Allegedly Thanks Disabled Marine for Service, Steals from Him

Yarmouth, MA – A disabled Marine and his family lost their beach bag after leaving it with a man who had previously thanked the veteran for his service, police said.

Robert Watson was on vacation with his wife and two kids from Jacksonville, NC when they stopped at the Cape Cod Inflatable Park in Yarmouth Wednesday evening.

There, they allegedly met and befriended a man and his young son; according to police, the man thanked Watson, a combat veteran, for his service. Watson told officers he and his wife then asked the man to watch their beach bag while they took their children down one of the slides.

When they returned, the man was gone, along with their belongings, police said. Inside the bag were both wallets, which held their identifications and cash and bank cards, along with Watson's military identification cards, veterans' affairs card, health care card and social security card.

According to police, Watson and his family attempted to find the man with the help of workers at the park. One of the workers reportedly said she saw a heavyset man leaving the park carrying a bag matching the description of Watson's.

Cape Cod Inflatable Park gave the family, who was left without money or identification, $100 for food and gas. They returned to their hotel in Plymouth Wednesday night, police said.

The family was back in Yarmouth on Thursday to assist in the investigation. While there, they received money from the US Marine Corporal Nicholas G. Xiarhos Memorial Fund at Citizens Bank, as well as cash donations from several customers and employees at the bank who heard the story, according to police.

Yarmouth Police said they are actively following a lead and anticipate more information about the suspect to be revealed soon.

Anyone with more information is asked to contact the Yarmouth Police Department immediately at 508.775.0445 or send an email to info@yarmouthpolice.com.

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