Philadelphia police are searching for a thief who they say stole hundreds of dollars from a man in a wheelchair who tried to help him. Tom Nordeman, a 43-year-old man who has cerebral palsy and uses a wheelchair, told NBC10 he was in Center City on Thursday, Oct. 29, when he offered to buy food f or a man who introduced himself as “Ethan.” “I was trying to be a nice guy because I like to see the goodness in people,” Nordeman said. Nordeman said “Ethan” then offered to help him cross the street near the 100 block of North 10th Street in Philadelphia’s Chinatown neighborhood. “He said, ‘I am going to go cross the street and I’ll help you get across safely,’” Nordeman told NBC10. Once he reached the other side of the street, however, “Ethan” was nowhere to be found. Once Nordeman reached the bus stop, he noticed his cellphone was missing as well. “I am screaming, ‘Call the police! Call the police,’” Nordeman said. After a stranger let him borrow a phone, Nordeman called police. He then called his father, Tom Nordeman Sr., who had already received a warning that something was wrong. “I had already had a call from Mastercard saying that there were two transactions that were fraudulent,” Nordeman Sr. said. “So, I knew something was going on.” Nordeman Sr. told NBC10 someone tried to use his son’s digital wallet to make multiple purchases, including one at GameStop for $856.95. The transactions raised immediate red flags. “He’s such a good guy. I was really disappointed that someone would do that to him,” Nordeman Sr. said. “It’s pretty difficult to see your 43-year-old son in tears. Real tears. Really crying.” Surveillance photo of the person of interest and Tom Nordeman. NBC10 obtained exclusive surveillance video of Nordeman and “Ethan” inside Philly Steak and Pizzeria where the two ate before the reported theft. Police confirmed the man in the video with Nordeman is a person of interest in the theft. He’s described as a white male in his 20s with black hair who went by the name “Ethan.” Surveillance photo of the person of interest and Tom Nordeman. “It’s upsetting because no one should go through like that especially when they can’t defend themselves. They can’t protect themselves,” Munawar Chaudhary, the owner of the restaurant, told NBC10. “Having someone take advantage of you like that, it’s really sad.” Nordeman, meanwhile, said he isn’t afraid to return to Center City but the experience made him more cautious about trusting strangers. “I’m going to be a lot more careful who I talk to,” he said. If you have any information on the theft or person of interest, call Philadelphia Police at 215-686-3093. You can also leave an anonymous tip by calling 215-686-TIPS (8477). ...read more read less