76-year-old frozen treat vendor calls it quits after gunpoint robbery in Tri-Cities park

A 76-year-old who spent summers selling Mexican ice cream pops in Columbia Park plans to retire after being robbed at gunpoint last week in the Kennewick park, according to a fundraising announcement.

The fundraiser identified Dolores Paniagua as the vendor who police reported was robbed of about $200 and some of his frozen treats on Sept. 3 after he had walked several miles to reach the park and then spent the day working there.

He has continued to peddle paletas in the summer months despite the heat, fatigue and his age because he does not have money for retirement and is not eligible for Social Security, according to a GoFundMe page.

His daughter Maria Torres, who organized the fundraiser, reported that this was his 12th summer of selling the treats in the park.

“He always felt safe and loved by everyone, but unfortunately after the last incident he no longer feels safe and prefers to leave the park, although it hurts him to leave his clients who are like family to him,” she posted.

His income is modest because he only works summers, and donations will help him retire, she said.

In a fundraiser to boost his income two years ago Torres said he “likes to work and has always earned an honest living.” He pitches in to keep the park clean by picking up trash, she said.

She set a goal of collecting $10,000 for his retirement, and more than $8,000 had been raised through a GoFundMe page as of Saturday.

In addition, Anything Grows at 1625 Columbia Park Trail in Richland, where he regularly passes by, has raised money for him with a tip jar.

“Thank you Dolores. It was always a pleasure seeing you in the park when I would often ride by on my bike,” one donor posted on the GoFundMe page.

“May God bless you always,” another donor posted in Spanish.