Rodney Arndt just wanted to keep his bike

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anne Wilton and Gwendolyn Richards, Calgary Herald
Published: Monday, May 12, 2008

In a tragic end to a tragic life, a southern Alberta man who ended up on the streets in a losing battle with the bottle has died after being beaten by someone who tried to steal his bike.

Rodney Kim Arndt, 53, died Saturday, days after a fight in a bank parking lot in Lethbridge.

His death marks the city's first homicide of the year.

Font:****Arndt was assaulted May 4 in the parking lot of the Bank of Montreal at 2A Avenue and 13th Street.

He was initially taken to hospital with what appeared to be injuries that were not life-threatening.

Lethbridge police acting Staff Sgt. Ian Sanderson said someone called police about the ongoing assault around 3:50 p.m. on May 4 but officers arrived to find Arndt alone.

Rodney Arndt Sr., 71, said his son told him after the beating that the fight was over his bike.

"Somebody wanted to steal his bike and he told them to go to hell, and they beat him for it," said the elder Arndt.

"When I went in to see him, he was in intensive care. Both eyes were black and his nose was broke," he said.

It seemed as if Rodney Jr. was going to recover, but on Friday he suddenly worsened and went for emergency surgery.

He died the next day.

Rodney Sr. said his son had fallen on hard times after breaking his back 15 years ago on a construction job. He turned to alcohol and eventually ended up on the street.

"When he was sober, you couldn't ask for a nicer person. He was very talented in a lot of different ways . . . but the alcohol. . . ."

Rodney Sr. said his son didn't deserve to die over a bike.

"I just don't understand it," said the Magrath senior.

RCMP arrested a suspect in Rodney's death on Saturday at a home in Strathmore.

Charles Robert Poulsen, 45, of Lethbridge is charged with manslaughter.

He is expected to appear in Lethbridge provincial court on Tuesday