Detectives believe the crook who choked a 72-year-old woman and robbed her inside a Queens apartment building last month struck again this past weekend in a similar fashion.
Police said the suspect attacked a 78-year-old woman in the lobby of an apartment building near Queens Boulevard and 67th Drive in Rego Park at 7:30 p.m. on Aug. 9.
According to law enforcement sources, the perpetrator approached the victim and began choking her. He then grabbed a number of packages inside the lobby, then fled out of the building in an unknown direction.
The incident was reported to the 112th Precinct. Cops said the victim suffered pain and bruising, but refused medical attention at the scene.
Based on their investigation, detectives linked the suspect in that caper to the July 28 robbery of a 72-year-old woman in the area of 64th Avenue and 98th Street, also in Rego Park.
Police reported that the suspect attacked the victim as she went to retrieve her mail inside the lobby of her apartment building. He choked her and demanded her property.
Law enforcement sources said the crook removed the woman’s cash and jewelry, valued at a combined $500, and fled the scene in an unknown direction.
Paramedics brought the victim to Forest Hills Hospital in stable condition.
Cops described the crook as a Black man between 30 and 40 years of age.
In video footage that the NYPD released on Aug. 11, the suspect’s shown swiping a MetroCard and walking through the turnstile at a nearby subway station. He’s pictured wearing a tan baseball cap, a green shirt, white gloves, gray shorts and white sneakers, while carrying two black bags.
Anyone with information regarding his whereabouts is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 800-577-TIPS (for Spanish, dial 888-57-PISTA). You can also submit tips online at nypdcrimestoppers.com, or on Twitter @NYPDTips. All calls and messages are kept confidential.
