Two wanted in robberies of seniors in St. Paul arrested

Two men sought by St. Paul police in connection with highly publicized robberies involving senior citizens are now in jail.

A man who allegedly stole $300 from an 88-year-old Florida man in town for his wife's funeral turned himself in to police Friday evening.

The 40-year-old man was booked into jail on probable cause of robbery. The Star Tribune is not naming the man because he has not been charged.

"I think he knew people were looking for him," said Cmdr. Doug Holtz of the St. Paul police.

The theft from 88-year-old Arnold Jacobson occurred Wednesday at the U.S. Bank on Burns Avenue as Jacobson put $100 bills into envelopes to pay musicians and others who participated in his wife's memorial service.

After news of the robbery got out, dozens of people offered money and support to Jacobson, but he urged them to instead help his nephew build a church.

In the other case, Michael Pye, accused of attacking senior citizens during home invasions in St. Paul's North End area, was arrested Friday.

The Ramsey County attorney's office had issued nationwide warrants for Pye's arrest, charging him with burglary, kidnapping and aggravated robbery after two home invasions on Barrett Street.

According to criminal complaints outlining the charges, Pye allegedly beat a 66-year-old man in one home and tied up an 84-year-old woman and her 3-year-old great-granddaughter in another.

The charges said that Pye also attacked the resident of a third house on Barrett Street, hitting the homeowner in the head with a 5-pound weight.