Modesto robber tells victim he must feed family

MODESTO, Calif. - Modesto police say a polite robber explained to his victim he lost his job and needed to feed his family - before taking the man's money and jewelry at gunpoint Sunday morning.

Police say the robber said "hello" and "good morning" to the shopkeeper as Flowers by HP Papadopoulous in Modesto was opening at 7 a.m.

He then pulled a .45-caliber gun and ordered the shopkeeper to lie face down at the back of the store while he collected the valuables.