A St. Pete man suffering from Alzheimer's has his 'lucky' fishing pole stolen

PINELLAS COUNTY - James Wilbanks, 85, has had a rough year.  His wife passed away, he is suffering from Alzheimer's disease and had to move into with his son, Michael, because he can no longer live alone.

To pass the time, Wilbanks loves to go fishing with his son.

"He move in with my wife and I about a year and half ago and we have been hitting the pier to fish," explained Michael.

But now, a thief took that good time away when he stole Wilbanks' 'lucky' snapper fishing pole on August 19.  It happened around 7:00 a.m. and surveillance video caught the whole thing on tape.

"I miss my pole," said James.

The video shows a man stop his car in front of the Wilbanks' Mystic Lake Drive North home.  You can see the man walk up to Michael's car and take two fishing poles off of a homemade fishing pole rack that sits atop the car.

"One of his favorite things to do is to go fishing but now that his best snapper fishing pole has been stolen, when I asked him if he wants to go fishing he shows little interest," explained Michael.'

The fishing pole cost about $100.  James says while the pole can be replaced the sentimental value it held cannot.

"He gave it to me," said James while pointing to his son.

Michael has handed over the video to police and has now posted in to YouTube.  You can view the video below or by clicking on this link: http://youtu.be/hSt1RbZl1wE

If anyone recognizes the man in the video, they are being urged to contact the St. Petersburg police.