US: Mugger attacks women 101 and 85

A New York City mugger attacked a 101-year-old woman, punched her in the face and knocked her over before making off with her handbag, according to police and a security-camera video.

The same suspect moved on to victimise an 85-year-old woman shortly afterward, police said today as they pressed the public for tips that could identify him.

The attacks took place in separate buildings in the Jamaica section of the New York City borough of Queens on the previous Sunday.

The 101-year-old woman was assaulted in her apartment building’s lobby at round 12.30pm. Security-camera footage, broadcast in news reports, showed the mugger approaching her, whacking her in the face and sending her and the support frame she used to help her walk, flying.

“I was not unconscious, but I was startled, and I thought: What happened?” said the woman, Rose Morat. The suspect took her handbag, police said.

About half an hour later, 85-year-old Solange Elizee was assaulted outside her apartment. Police said the suspect followed her into a lift and later confronted her by her apartment door.

Elizee said he had asked her in the lift which floor she was headed to, explaining, “I like to help old people.”

But as she went to close her door, he threatened her, Elizee said. She said the suspect also beat her in the face and pushed her down.

Her handbag was taken, police said.