Visitor to Port Angeles mugged in city park

From: Port Angeles Peninsula Daily News, WA - May 29, 2005

by ANDREW BINION

PORT ANGELES -- A deaf tourist passing through town on a post-graduation road trip was mugged at Erickson Park on Saturday afternoon and lost all his money, identification and credit card.

Wolfjunge Wolfburger, 29, a German citizen, stopped at the Race Street park to stretch his legs when two assailants assaulted him behind the park restroom and stole his wallet and the $300 inside, Port Angeles Police Cpl. Barbara McFall said.

Wolfburger had recently graduated from Florida State University with a degree in forensics and was traveling the scenic route to Bellingham to catch a ferry to Alaska. His father lives in Fairbanks, McFall said.

''He's got no money for the ferry, no money for anything, no identification,'' McFall said. When the assailants attempted to take his wallet, Wolfburger resisted, McFall said. The assailants then punched him, sending him into an asthma attack from the stress, McFall said.

Room at hostel

Wolfburger was given a bed at the Thor Town International Hostel on Race Street for the night while he attempted to contact his father, who is also deaf, McFall said.

''We don't want to become a shelter,'' hostel manager Carl Haarstad said.

''It's just because he is an international traveler in this situation.'' Those with information on the assault and robbery are encouraged to contact the Port Angeles Police Department at 360-452-4545.

Copyright © 2004 Horvitz Newspapers, Inc.