Wheelchair-bound robbery victim's inspiring message: 'Be kind to each other, watch out for other people'

SEATTLE -- A wheelchair-bound woman with cerebral palsy who was robbed by two men at Northgate Mall says she is overwhelmed and appreciative of all the concern and support she’s gotten since the attack.

“I think people realize if these guys would target someone like me, that they would target anybody and they needed to be taken off the street,” Carolyn said.

Carolyn and her husband. who is also in wheelchair. were huddled together talking and waiting for an Access bus home to their assisted living facility on  Aug. 22 in the mall when two suspects started stalking them.

Shortly after 'Washington’s Most Wanted' aired the video of the two thieves stealing her Nook tablet, Seattle police arrested a 17-year-old suspect.

"It was scary when it happened and it was scary when I saw it again and it was a little bit scarier because I realized how close they were and that they were actually targeting me,” she said.



If there is one thing Carolyn wants people to know, it’s that she believes God had a hand in what happened to her. She is praying the teenager's capture will help turn his life around.

The teen told detectives he was high and not in his right mind when he stole the tablet.

"I'm hoping that he has enough consequences that he gets held accountable and that he can see what he's done wrong and hopefully that he will change his life around -- but I can only do what I can do and he's responsible for his own behavior,” she said Wednesday.

King County prosecutors charged the teen as a juvenile and he’s getting drug treatment in jail.

Carolyn says telling her story made her feel good that she’s standing up for herself.

"What I think people can learn is just to be more aware of your surroundings and to be kind to each other and watch out for other people and try to rise above whatever happens to you,” she said.

Her husband bought her a new Nook tablet and she says she has everything she needs.  She is grateful for everyone who offered to buy her a new one.

Carolyn does have one request though.

“What people can do for me is they can keep their eyes open for the second suspect because he's still at large."

If you know the identity of the suspect, seen in the surveillance video in the gray pants and black hoodie, call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-tips.