Bill Barnes just wanted to scratch of his $2 lottery ticket. He was not remotely interested in a fight. However, when he felt a hand reach into his pocket where he had $300, he started swinging.
He immediately grabbed the person’s wrist with his left hand and started throwing punches with his right, landing six or seven blows before a store manager intervened.
“I guess he thought I was an easy mark,” Barnes, 72, told The Grand Rapids Press for a story Tuesday.
He’s anything but an easy mark: Barnes served in the Marines, was an accomplished Golden Gloves boxer and retired after 20 years as an iron worker.
The 72-year-old Marine (not ex-Marine, Semper Fi and all that) was more scared of going home without the cash than taking a beating by the thief.
“I wouldn’t want my wife to give me hell for lettin’ that guy get my money,” he said with a smile.
We all know how he feels.
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