Elder Abuse

Help Catch Thug who Attacked Grandma

By Dan Gesslein

BRONX, NEW YORK, March 14- Police are asking for the pubic's help in trying to catch a thug who beat and robbed an elderly woman in Baychester and a car thief in Bruckner.

The attack took place last month in a Baychester apartment building. At around 7 p.m. on February 7, the 70-year-old tenant was entering her building when a man came up from behind her. The mugger punched her in the face and then took her pocketbook. Cops said the crook made off with the victim's cash, credit cards and cell phone.

Police released surveillance video of the suspect from inside an elevator. On the video the suspect is seen holding a wad of cash.

The suspect is described as a black male was seen wearing blue jeans, blue jacket and purple ski cap.

Police are also searching for a man who stole from cars parked inside a Bruckner Boulevard building.

At around 1 a.m. on February 12, the suspect entered an apartment building at 1569 Bruckner Boulevard and removed a section of metal pipe. The thief then proceeded to sneak into the building's garage and remove property from the vehicles.

The suspect is described as a black male and was last seen wearing a grey sweatshirt and carrying a black backpack.

Anyone with information is urged to call CRIMESTOPPERS at (800) 577-TIPS.The public can also submit their tips by logging onto the Crime Stoppers Website at WWW.NYPDCRIMESTOPPERS.COM or texting their tips to 274637(CRIMES) then enter TIP577.

All calls are confidential.