A reward fund has grown to over $23,000 as authorities in Western Illinois continue to seek information on a crime that involved an 83 year old retired farmer beaten and robbed in his home. Mercer County Sheriff Dave Staley says Fred Rooth was attacked sometime before May 8th and left for dead in his rural Joy farmhouse.
Rooth continues to recover from his injuries. Among the items taken from his home was a residential safe. Information on the crime is being collected through Mercer County Crime Stoppers at 800-582-2762.