Robbery of 99-Year-Old Landlord in Washington Heights
A man wearing a ski mask robbed a 99-year-old landlord in Manhattan, reportedly stealing at least $20,000 during a brazen Sunday morning incident.
NYPD chief Joseph Kenney stated that the suspect called the elderly building owner around 10 a.m. on Monday, claiming he had packages to deliver to an apartment on West 187th Street, near Audubon Avenue in Washington Heights.
The caller instructed the landlord to meet him at the side of the building. “If you know the place, you’re aware of the side entrance,” Kenney explained.
When the victim went to open the gate, the intruder pushed past him. “The 99-year-old fought back against the assailant,” Kenny recounted. “During this struggle, the victim’s hands became trapped between the door and the frame, resulting in injuries that required stitches.”
The suspect then forced his way into the basement of the five-story, 30-unit building, brandishing a gun and demanding access to the office, according to officers.
“One needs to know the building well. This gentleman’s office is underground,” Kenney noted.
The intruder entered the office and stole around $20,000 in rent money stored in a cabinet, which included payments from tenants in two other buildings owned by the elderly man.
“He was responsible for collecting rent, and someone clearly knew he kept that cash there,” Kenney said. “The assailant seemed familiar with the layout and aware of the money.”
The suspect, who only spoke Spanish, fled the scene with a significant amount of cash and remained at large as of Thursday.
Witnesses described him wearing a black ski mask, gloves, a gray sweatshirt, black sweatpants, and white sneakers. Officers released footage showing him walking slowly down the sidewalk.
The elderly victim was taken to New York Presbyterian/Columbia University Irving Medical Center, where he was treated for two broken fingers.
Anyone with information about the robber is encouraged to call the NYPD Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or the Spanish line at 1-888-57-Pista (74782).
Tips can also be submitted through Crime Stoppers’ website.
