Bucks County Duo Target Elderly Women In 'Bump & Rob' Attacks
BENSALEM, Pa. (CBS) -- Police uncover an elaborate plot targeting the elderly from Philadelphia to Bucks County.
Police say the victims were all women, all in their 80s.
"I was really really scared. I thought I was going to get run over," Ella Marmon told Eyewitness News.
Marmon is 85-years-old and she is still recovering from injuries she sustained from what began as a minor fender bender in Bensalem.
"They were behind me and when I got out of the car, they pulled up along side of me," Marmon said.
Police later identified the two suspects as 22-year-old John Ferris and 20-year-old Kathleen Gilchrist.
Marmon explained, "The girl was driving, the guy got behind me, took my pocketbook off my head and I wouldn't let go. The car started moving and by this time, I'm down on the ground and they're dragging me."
Marmon eventually let go.
Police were notified and just hours later, with suspect descriptions, police made the arrests in Philadelphia. Marmon says she was then asked to positively ID the pair, when she did, she says she briefly confronted the suspects.
"I said you (expletive) I hope you go to hell. I wanted to beat them up. The cops wouldn't let me, it took two cops to hold me back," Marmon said.
Sgt. Andrew Aninsman with the Bensalem Police Department said, "Their M.O. is they prey on the elderly. Use their vehicle to tap the vehicle in front."
Investigators determined, in all, the suspects were responsible for six crimes: Four in Northeast Philadelphia and two in Bensalem since May 26th.
"I won't get out of my car," Marmon said,
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Marmon says she learned her lesson and police remind others to always be on guard.
Sgt. Aninsman said, "If you get involved in an accident, you don't have a cell phone, just pull off the side of the road, somebody comes up to you, just crack your window down enough where you can talk to them and make arrangements to call the police."
The suspects remain in jail on assault and theft-related offenses. They're due in court in two weeks.
Reported by Elizabeth Hur, CBS 3
