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Cops Questioning Suspect In Alleged Attack On 85-Year-Old Woman In Chinatown

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- A suspect was taken into custody Friday in connection with an attack on an elderly woman in Chinatown.

The woman was pushed down and robbed as she entered her high-rise apartment. Cops said they spent nearly five days trying to track down the suspect, Clemente Rivera, CBS 2's John Slattery reported.

The alleged victim, an 85-year-old retired seamstress who moved to America from Hong Kong at the age of 65, did not want to be identified.

"She's feeling very scared and confused," her daughter said.

The alleged robbery took place in the shadow of the Brooklyn Bridge at the Alfred E. Smith Houses on Catherine Slip. The Sunday morning attack began in the building's lobby, the woman said.

The victim rode the elevator with her alleged assailant and the pair got off on the same floor. The man allegedly followed her to her door and then pushed her down. The victim said she tried to buy off her attacker.

"She just worried man would hurt her so she pulled out about 40 bucks to give the guy," her daughter said.

Instead of the cash the alleged thug grabbed Medicaid documents from a drawer and made a hasty escape, police said. Building residents told CBS 2's Slattery that they feel awful about the attack.

"It's terrible. You take advantage of old people, terrible," neighbor Manny Rosado said.

Rivera, 43, was taken into custody on Friday afternoon and was reportedly being questioned by authorities.

The woman has lived in the building since her husband died 20 years ago and said that she is now worried about staying there.

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