79-Year-Old Man Shaken After 'Nightmarish' Attack Outside Brooklyn Home
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- A 79-year-old man said he's still shaken up after he was ambushed during a robbery outside his apartment building in Brooklyn this week.
Earlin Clarke said he was taken completely off guard when two men came up from behind and attacked him on his doorstep on East 21st Street and Albemarle Road in Flatbush on Tuesday afternoon.
"It was very nightmarish," Clarke told CBS2's Ilana Gold.
Recognize these cowards! They robbed 79 yr old victim. Pls call #800577TIPS. #70pct is coming to get you! #Flatbush pic.twitter.com/HlGr585kXz
— NYPD 70th Precinct (@NYPD70Pct) October 9, 2015
Surveillance video shows Clarke walking up to his apartment building and as soon he unlocks the door the suspects strike, Gold reported.
One of the suspects, a man in a red hooded sweatshirt, can be seen putting Clarke in a chokehold and throwing him to the ground, while the other goes for the victim's pockets. The suspect tugged at Clarke's jeans, ripping them apart to get his cellphone and wallet, which contained $1,100 and credit cards, police said.
"At the moment when it happens you lose your sense of reality," Clarke said.
Clarke had just withdrawn more than $1,000 from the bank, Gold reported.
Clarke said the suspects didn't say a word during the attack.
He was on the ground for several minutes until neighbors saw him in need of help and called his sister in the upstairs building.
"It was the worst thing I've ever seen in my life, to see my brother helpless with his hands all torn," she said.
Cameras later captured the duo at the Kings Plaza Shopping Center, where they allegedly used the victim's credit cards to go on a shopping spree, making purchases at several shops, including an Adidas store, Gold reported.
Clarke said he's never seen his attackers before and is worried they will come back, and possibly target him again or someone else.
"I hope they're caught and they'll be punished for their actions," Clarke said.
Anyone with information is asked to call the NYPD Crime Stoppers at (800) 577-TIPS, visit the Crime Stoppers website, or text tips to 274637 (CRIMES) and enter TIP577.