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Police Seek Teen Who Snatched Chain From Around Elderly Man's Neck

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) - Police aren't yanking your chain: They want your help finding someone who stole a necklace from an elderly man.

The necklace didn't give way easily, and as you can see in surveillance video, the victim of the theft goes reeling backward after being tugged by the neck.

The video is short but brutal and shows how the robbery - and victim - went down.

The incident took place in broad daylight inside Futuro Deli & Grocery on 122nd Street and 2nd Avenue on August 24.

As you can see in the video, the victim is standing at the counter of the market with his back to the front door. As he places his left hand in his pocket and his right hand moves to grab a can on the counter, the thug makes his appearance.

A man wearing a white, v-neck t-shirt, tan cargo shorts, a black an purple hat and black sneakers suddenly dashes through the door. He doesn't even make it all the way through the doorway, but turns like a batter caught in a rundown between first and second base. His right hand clutches the chain, and he runs away.

The chain doesn't give easily, though, and the 70-year-old victim, choked at the neck by the sudden grab of his necklace, staggers backward and tumbles to the ground.

Police believe the perpetrator is between 16 and 19 years old.

Anyone with any information about the incident is asked to contact Crime Stoppers. You can:

  • Call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477). All calls are kept confidential.
  • Log on to their website
  • Text your tip to CRIMES (274637) and enter TIP577

If caught and convicted, what is the appropriate punishment in this case?

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