NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — A disabled man was put in a choke hold and robbed by two people according to police. Now, the community has stepped up to help him get back on his feet again.
Around 11 a.m. on Saturday, Floyd Payne was walking near a bus stop at the intersection of Nolensville Pike and Thompson Lane when he was confronted. He said a man put him in a choke hold and a woman took all of his belongings.
“I feel vulnerable even when I pull something out of my pocket, I don’t know what’s going to happen, everybody’s not bad, but y'all have stopped me from sharing," he said.
Payne said he likes to give some of his money to homeless people while he exercises, but now he can’t do that since all of it was taken. Fortunately, a good Samaritan took Floyd to the hospital, according to the incident report.
"When I first got back I didn’t have nothing. No credit card, nobody to get no food, and I was tore up on the inside, because how was I going to make it with nothing?" Payne said.
Payne lives in a home that's operated by Our Place Nashville, a nonprofit that provides affordable housing for the developmentally disabled. Co-founder Carolyn Naifeh was shocked by what happened. However, people immediately responded to help Payne in his time of need.
"That’s what’s been so sweet, is seeing how something so yucky be totally covered with kindness, and with love," Naifeh said.
The robbers charged thousands to Payne's credit card before it was canceled. So far, people have donated about $2,500 to help him during this time. They helped him get a new bank account, a new phone, and new shoes since he lost his during the ordeal.
“I have gotten so much support," Payne said.
No arrests have been made yet, but Payne hopes the robbers are caught by the Metro Nashville Police Department. If you would like to help him or donate to the nonprofit, here’s the information:
