Man charged with punching 78-year-old over waffle sample
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}A 24-year-old man has been charged with elder abuse after authorities say he punched a 78-year-old man over free Nutella waffle samples at a Los Angeles-area Costco store.
Prosecutors say Derrick Gharabighi, of Burbank, was charged Tuesday. He pleaded not guilty in an afternoon court appearance.
He is being held on $50,000 bail, and he faces a maximum sentence of 11 years in prison if convicted.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The Los Angeles County district attorney's office says he was hoarding samples of the waffles at the Burbank Costco on Sunday morning when the 78-year-old told him to take just one.
Prosecutors say Gharabighi then punched the older man in the face.
Police say the senior citizen was hospitalized with a 1-inch cut and swelling above his eye.