Police: 76-year-old woman suffers broken hip in violent Bronx robbery
NEW YORK -- Police are searching for a group of suspects seen on video violently robbing a 76-year-old woman in the Pelham Bay section of the Bronx.
CBS2's Natalie Duddridge spoke with the woman's son.
"It's the worst thing that can happen to somebody her age, you know, breaking your hip -- never mind everything else about being assaulted," her son said. The victim and her son want to keep their names private.
The son says his mother is recovering from hip surgery after she was attacked late Sunday night coming home from an evening out dancing.
"She loves dancing. That's what she's been doing for years now. It's so unfortunate, because she's been so healthy," her son said.
Surveillance video shows three suspects surround her at her apartment door near Roberts and Hobart Avenues just after midnight Sunday in Pelham Bay. She tries to hold the door closed, but the suspects get into the lobby.
Police said they grabbed her purse, pulled her hair and swung her around, causing her to fall and break her hip.
Investigators said the suspects got away with cash and her debit card.
Duddridge spoke to residents who say they heard the commotion, saw the woman on the ground and came to help her.
"I told 911. Is she alert, I said yes, she's not bleeding, but she can't move. I can't move her, and I'm afraid to move her," one person who came to her aid said.
"My mother has lived here for 50, 52 years, and the building knows her. She was lucky some neighbors were coming out right afterwards," her son said.
Police are now looking for the suspects.
"I hope they get the people that did this," her son said.
The victim's son says his mother told doctors she hopes to fully recover so she can get dancing again.
Anyone with information about her attackers is asked to call the NYPD's Crime Stoppers hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477), or for Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782). You can also submit a tip via their website or via DM on Twitter, @NYPDTips. All calls are kept confidential.
