A picture of an elderly Los Angeles vendor being rescued four days after accidentally locking himself inside his newspaper stand. (Credit: Eric Mollinedo @erics5150)

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An 84-year-old man who sold newspapers at a stand in the Harvard Heights neighborhood of Los Angeles was rescued Monday after somehow locking himself inside the wooden structure four days ago, police said.

The unidentified vendor was also living inside the wooden stand, which was located near Western Avenue and Pico Boulevard, according to Sgt. Pedraza with the Los Angeles Police Department.

Somehow, the man locked himself inside and was unable to get out, Pedraza stated.

Around 3 p.m. Monday afternoon, a passerby heard moaning sounds coming from inside the box and called police, according to Pedraza.

Responding officers, cut the lock on the box and lifted the man out.

He was severely malnourished and dehydrated, Pedraza said, adding that the man remained hospitalized.

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