One elderly resident at the Riverside Nursing and Rehabilitation Center allegedly punched another elderly man after he accused of him of behaving inappropriately with some of the female residents, according to Centralia police.
When police arrived at the nursing home at about 10 a.m. Thursday, Robert E. Larsen, 68, Centralia, told police that the dispute started when the 72-year-old victim approached him before breakfast outside in the garden area.
Larsen told police the 72-year-old victim rolled up to him in his wheelchair “rather quickly” and began calling him names and accusing him of bothering some of the elderly women.
The victim told police a few female residents had told him that Larsen had accosted them, and that he was “attempting to defend the ladies’ honor,” according to Centralia police.
Larsen told police he “lost it” and punched the man in the face and neck multiple times, according to police.
The two men have a past history of disputes, according to Centralia police. Larsen was referred to the prosecutor’s office for charges.
