Police: Woman Hit With Her Own Cane, Robbed By Group Of Teens In Queens
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) – A violent robbery was caught on camera in Queens.
Police are now asking for the public's help tracking down suspects behind the disturbing attack.
The assault took place right in the middle of the street. Police believe four teenagers attacked a woman in her 60s, beating her when she was defenseless on the ground, all to get her cell phone.
It happened at 8 p.m. on Aug. 4 on 169th street and Highland Avenue in Jamaica. The suspects wrestled with 67-year-old victim for her cane. Video shows the victim throwing her arms in the air begging for the attack to stop.
Police say they believe the four suspects - two young men and two young women - took her cell phone and drove off in a late model Nissan Altima.
"That's so crazy that people would do that that are teenagers," said neighbor Stephanie Alvarez.
Alvarez lives a few streets away with her five kids, and she has another one on the way. Her oldest two are approaching their teen years, she plans to show them the video as a teachable moment.
"Because I don't want them to the same one day, that's sad," she said.
"I feel like it's just a reflection of what's going on nowadays," said neighbor Chris Padilla. "When we grew up, our parents taught us to treat our elders good, correct.
Padilla said these things happen because younger generations are inundated with violence on social media and lack positive role models. He's not alone.
"The world and the society that we live in today, it's just dangerous to be a woman," said Sam Javed.
Akam Islam teaches young people religious scripture at a class just down the street from the incident.
"I hate it. The guy that hit the woman? Women should be respected," he said.
The video was shared from neighbor to neighbor Thursday morning.
"Terrified. I mean I always knew the neighborhood was unsafe but not that unsafe. To beat an old lady with a cane? That's ridiculous," said Marcia Collier, who has lived in the Jamaica neighborhood her whole life. She says she's seen her fair share of violence, which inspired the 20-year-old college student to major in medicine.
"I have always seen people hurt, and have always been around hospital settings, so I just wanted to go in and start helping people," she said. "We're going to catch you. They're definitely going to get you, there's no doubt about it."
The victim was shaken but refused treatment at the scene.
All the people CBS2's Tara Jakeway spoke with walk past the site of the attack to get to the F train or bus stop just a few feet away. Police are asking that any of those passersby come forward with any information.
Anyone with any information is asked to call NYPD's Crime Stoppers hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or 1-888-57-PISTA (74782) for Spanish. You can also submit a tip via the Crime Stoppers website, by Tweeting @NYPDTips or by texting a tip to 274637 (CRIMES) and then entering TIP577.
