Suspect Charged With Robbing 86-Year-Old Wheelchair-Bound Woman
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Police have arrested and charged a woman who they said was seen on surveillance video stealing an 86-year-old woman's purse as she sat outside in her wheelchair in the Bronx.
Adrianne Terry, 37, of the Bronx, was charged with grand larceny and petit larceny Tuesday afternoon, police said.
She was arrested in connection with the robbery on Sunday afternoon near East 179th Street and Marmion Avenue in the Tremont section of the Bronx.
Terry was escorted in handcuffs from the 48th Precinct to an NYPD patrol car Tuesday night.
As CBS2's Jessica Layton reported, neighbors said they recognized the suspect in the video right away. The suspect was also known to the victim, Bernice Starnes, who said she would often talk with her as she sat in her wheelchair outside her building, CBS2's Janelle Burrell reported.
Starnes was not at a loss for words when she found out Terry was arrested.
"The b***h ought to die in jail," Starnes said.
Investigators said it was Terry who was seen on surveillance video grabbing Starnes' purse as she sat in her wheelchair outside her building.
"I'm 86 years old, I'm not exactly a spring chicken," Starnes said. "Why would you want to rob me? I'm in a damn wheelchair."
The purse contained cash and a bank card, police said. Terry was also seen on camera inside Starnes' building throwing away garbage, police said.
"In this world, as it is, things happen in a minute," Starnes said Tuesday night. "You don't even know half the damn time what the heck's going on."
She does not live in the building, but Terry is no stranger to people in the neighborhood.
"I've seen her before," said resident Dwayne Williams. "I've seen her plenty of days."
Terry is also well known to police, who say she has 10 prior arrests that include assault and drug possession.
"That's the lowest of the low," Williams said. "Elderly lady on a fixed income. That's like robbing a church."
"To prey on somebody like that is really, really a shame," said resident Timothy Downing.
Starnes' purse has been returned minus the cash and a few food stamps, Burrell reported.
Police pooled together about $115 to replace what Terry had stolen.
"I thank you officers," Starnes said. "You are number one."
As for Terry, she said she was not the culprit.
"Really, could we get out of here?" she said in the back seat of the squad car.
As for those who've been worried about Bernice Starnes, she assured everyone that she is one tough lady.
"I appreciate their concern, but I'm going to be just fine," she said.
Starnes said she was looking forward to a steak dinner after her ordeal.
Terry was expected to appear in court late Tuesday or early Wednesday.
