Police: Man kidnapped, robbed by homeless man

A Springfield father claims he was robbed by a homeless man begging for money who wouldn’t take no for an answer.

John Waldock, 24, said he a man he knows only as “Tom” offered to shovel his driveway for money a couple days ago and then struck up a conversation with him outside of the Kroger on South Limestone Street Wednesday evening.

Waldock said he refused to hand over cash to the man, but offered to buy him food instead.

According to a Springfield Police report, once inside the store “Tom” continued to demand cash instead of food, so Waldock tried to duck out of the store and get back to his car.

“Tom” chased after him and grabbed onto his car door to prevent him from leaving.

“I was trying to leave. I was trying to bolt. But he was hanging right outside the door,” Waldock told News Center 7.

His attacker was eventually able to force his way into the driver’s seat and took Waldock to the Security National Bank on North Limestone Street and made him withdraw cash from the ATM.

If located, the suspect could face charges of robbery and kidnapping.

He was described as a white man between 25 and 32 years of age and about 5 feet 7 inches tall. He has a thin build and face and a shaved head. He was wearing a black hooded sweatshirt and dark pants on Wednesday evening.