Police said a gunman spent nearly ten minutes on his knees praying with the clerk at an Indianapolis check cashing business before fleeing with her cell phone and $20 from the register.

Security video from the Advance America branch clearly showed the man's face during the stickup, and a 23-year-old man matching the description later surrendered himself on a preliminary charge of robbery.

The robbery took an unusual turn after the gunman came around the counter; the clerk told police she began crying and then talked about God. The man said he had a two-year-old child to support and asked for prayers about overcoming his hardships.

Sgt. Kevin Wethington said the clerk's actions "certainly didn't hurt" to prevent more troubles in the store on the city's east side near Washington Square Mall. The robber turned himself in four hours later.

We all have hardships from time to time, and "rolling with the punches" might be easier said than done. Resorting to robbery to support a child is obviously not the best way of handling misfortune, but sadly is the easy way for many. It has become almost commonplace to hear about people robbing to support a drug habit or some other frivolous need, but even in times of economic hardship, there are plenty of other legitimate means to get by than breaking the law for "a cell phone and $20."

In this case, if the gunman felt prayer would help, there are many groups and organizations that could have provided him with that hope, along with meals and a warm, safe place for his family to sleep. The fact that he immediately turned himself in tells me that his actions were more of a cry for help than a willful attempt to cause harm by aggravated assault.

Being out of work can be scary, and most of us hope that we will never have to rely on charity services, but this is a good reason to support these organizations to assure that they will be there for those at the end of their resources. Donate as you are able, and with a glad heart.

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