Photo: iStock
July 9, 2015 By Christian Murray
The man who punched an 81-year-old Sunnyside resident in the face and then worked with an accomplice to steal his cash was sentenced to six months-to-a year in prison Monday.
Terrel Blanding, 27, accompanied by Thomas Fulwood, targeted William Eichhorn while he was getting cash out of the ATM at Chase Bank.
The incident occurred at the 46-10 Chase branch at about 9:30 am on Sunday, Oct. 26.
Blanding and Fulwood, who stood on either side of Eichhorn at the machine, demanded cash.
When Eichhorn refused, Blanding punched Eichhorn in the facing causing a laceration to his cheek.
Blanding, with the help of Fulwood, then riffled through his pockets while he was on the ground and fled with $100 and his debit card.
Blanding was initially charge with two counts of robbery.
However, he pleaded guilty to the charge of petit larceny, a misdemeanor.
“I’m surprised that’s all he got,” said Katy Flanagan, Eichhorn’s granddaughter. “I know it wasn’t murder but I would have expected that he would have got about 3 years.”
“I realize the system is overcrowded but this sends the wrong message,” she said. “It tells people that it doesn’t matter when you beat an 80-year-old man.”
Fulwood was sentenced to six months for his part in the crime last month.
