Police Release New Video Of Suspect In Robberies Of Elderly Women In Brooklyn, Queens
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Police are hoping new surveillance video will lead them to a violent robbery suspect who they said is targeting mostly elderly women in Queens and Brooklyn.
Investigators said the video released overnight shows the suspect around the time of his latest attack Saturday afternoon on Ocean Parkway near Beverly Road in Brooklyn.
Erin Van Schendel, 83, was left badly bruised after detectives said the suspect viciously beat her.
"I guess I just got socked, I don't remember very much," she said.
"When she opened the door, he slammed her down, knocked her in the face and broke her nose," said her son, Marc Van Schendel.
Investigators said the suspect is responsible for at least five incidents. In all five attacks, police said he shows a gun or a knife and robs his victims and anyone else who might be around. He's also suspected of robbing two middle-aged men.
"He probably preys on old ladies like me," Schendel told CBS2's Janelle Burrell. "It makes me think four times, I'm going to ever let anybody I don't really know, in."
In January, investigators believe he robbed a 76-year-old woman and an 87-year-old man at knifepoint in Ridgewood, Queens.
Then on Feb. 11, police said he followed a 71-year-old woman into her home in the area of Prospect Place and 6th Avenue in Brooklyn, tied her up, pulled out a gun and hit her in the face. He then stole $375 and fled, police said.
The next attack happened on March 2 when police said he robbed $370 from 91-year-old Elizabeth Gioino at gunpoint.
"He choked me three times," Gioino said. "'Give me the money, give me the money.'"
Then on March 19, a 43-year-old man entering his home near Prospect Place and Carlton Avenue in Brooklyn was held up. Police said the suspect then approached an 83-year-old woman at gunpoint, showing a box cutter and making away with over $300.
Police and the Brooklyn borough president are offering a combined $3,500 reward for information that leads to an arrest in the case.
"Lead him to a jail cell and put him in here," said Erin Van Schendel. "He should be off the streets."
The suspect is described as a black man between the ages of 40 and 60, 5 foot 10 inches tall weighing 250 pounds. He was last seen wearing a black jacket.
Anyone with information regarding the suspect is asked to contact the NYPD Crime Stoppers Hotline at 800-577-TIPS.
