A video captured a robber beating and robbing an elderly woman outside a Queens church on Sunday, the New York Post reported.
A 68-year-old woman was attacked and robbed by robbers outside St. Demetrius Greek Orthodox Church in Queens, New York, in the early morning hours. according to to the New York Post. The perpetrator is believed to be significantly younger than the victim. He allegedly ambushed her from behind as she approached the church entrance. The church’s pastor, Father Konstantinos Kalogridis, confirmed that she was hit in the face and fell down her stairs.
The robber then fled the scene in a 2006 Nissan Altima after snatching the victim’s wallet, which contained $300, a cell phone, credit cards, and car keys. The victim was left lying on the ground in severe pain, authorities said. The newspaper said Kalogridis had seen footage of the incident and expressed his concerns.
A bag-snatching bully punches a 68-year-old woman in the face and steals her car as she lies in agony on the steps of a New York church. https://t.co/nELJB1RXME pic.twitter.com/YFEIHnYtzh
— New York Post (@nypost) April 8, 2024
“She was a parishioner at our church and had come to attend the morning service,” Kalogridis told the New York Post. “I was in my office during the service and I saw the footage of what happened and it was awful. I can’t believe they would do this to an elderly woman on the steps of a church. I hope he is found and put behind bars.” (Related: Video shows robbers commit brazen armed robbery at Gucci store)
The victim was in critical condition, but his condition has since stabilized. Kalogridis said he visited her. “I gave her her blessing, took her communion and prayed for her girlfriend. We hope she gets well and makes her full recovery.” he continued, the New York Post reported.
Following the attack, the New York City Police Department released video footage and still images of the suspect and asked the public to help identify the young man, believed to be between 18 and 25 years old. According to the New York Post, police have increased patrols around churches, especially during the Orthodox Lent season, as they continue to search for the perpetrators.
