85-Year-Old Mugged, Choked in Elevator

Police are looking for a man who robbed an 85-year-old in a brutal attack. The attack took place in a Crown Heights apartment building's elevator--the victim Lillian France was headed up to visit a relative and about to get out at the 5th floor when a man grabbed her, put her in a chokehold until she lost consciousness, and robbed her of $900--and her cane. Here's the disturbing video:

Police believe this could be the suspect's 10th attack (other attacks on elderly women have occurred in Kensington and Flatbush) and worry he may strike again. Police are asking people with information to call Crimestoppers at 800-577-TIPS; the suspect is described as a black male in his 20s or early 30s, between 5'8" and 6' tall. The Daily News spoke to France, who said, "I saw blackness, and I thought I was dead... I thought it was a dream. A terrible dream. I started to cry."

Last year, when a 101-year-old and an 85-year-old were attacked by a mugger, callers to Crimestoppers didn't have info on the suspect but they did have ideas on how to punish him, like "If I catch him, that [expletive], I'm going to mess him up" or having cops "make sure every [person] in prison knows what he did." The suspect was caught.

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By Jen Chung in News on August 19, 2008 9:17 AM

Comments [rss]

Spirit of 76

If and when they catch this guy, they should send him to Bergen County. The cops there need a little target practice with their spanking new assault rifles.

Anna_Merkin

"Tar Baby" (a very offensive term that reveals your bigoted proclivities), I wouldn't know because I haven't been tracking specific crimes by specific people. If you have done so, please feel free to share your findings and complete profiles of the individuals, including all common aspects of these individuals (e.g., psychological profiles, demographics, location, time of day, etc.)

That way, we can make an informed assertion rather than simply seeking to confirm prejudices. Of course, I wouldn't expect you to do that. It's much easier to be an uninformed.

robingee

I love that people think that these scumbags will receive "justice in prison" - like their fellow murderers and rapists are the damn Justice League of America. They will be in prison with fellow scumbags.

babyhitler

#12- how is it racist when I hate all races equally?

Spirit of 76

Yes. You missed "babyhitler posts his 12 daily racist, asinine comments on Gothamist."

babyhitler

I think the patterns this summer so far are: black youths beating up old people and latinos beating the shit out of their children til they die. Jews have been given the gold medal with embezzlement and whites are in the top tier of anthrax scares. Asians are the best counterfeiters and human traffickers. Did I miss anybody?

thedroog

$900? ever heard of a bank, or at least a mattress? i'm not out to blame the victim here, but damn, that's a lot of cash to carry around.

Guest

give guns to old ladies!

also, the post video is a fame incentive and also tacky.

Tar_Baby

Isn't this the 9th time so far this year old ladies have been beat up and robbed by black youth/men?

RoDogg

Billiamsburg, quiet yourself! "Those black youths", maybe it's me but I only seen once black coward in the video, not "black youths". Stop taking one stupid cowardly black guy and trying to make him the poster boy for black youths. Everything in your statement in plural when there was only one individual doing a crime. Ignorance comes in many colors and forms, you and that robber are living proof!

thefacts

#6 "I don't get the pattern?"

There are none so blind as those who will not see.

Billiamsburg

oh those black youths. theyre just misunderstood is all. boys will be boys

babyhitler

you guys should show all the old lady and granny attacks side by side. I've noticed that most of the perps wear pants.

midtown

He also took her cane - now that is cold.

breaknight

When they catch this guy, they need to make him walk around prison with a sign around his neck reading "I'm in for robbing and choking little old ladies."

Justice will be served in the clink.

tsol

Gold chains don't buy themselves, people!

johnmd64

He probably needed the money to feed his starving family.

meL

Way to go douchebag. Hope when you get caught some guy puts you in a chokehold and has his way with you.

Anna_Merkin

Must be wary of all fat guys who wear visors and listen to music with white earphones.

Or wait, maybe it's guys with a history of multiple arrests?

Hm. Could it be drug addicts?

I don't get the pattern...please be more specific #3.