Hard-bitten New Yorkers want mugger's head

[ZeoBandit]

Hard-bitten New Yorkers want mugger's head
POSTED: 3:05 a.m. EDT, March 14, 2007
Story Highlights
• NEW: Police continue all-out manhunt for brutal mugger of 101-year-old
• NEW: Dozens of detectives assigned to case, video shown to every officer
• NEW: At least $18,000 in reward money promised so far
• NEW: One senior citizens center brings back self-defense courses

NEW YORK (AP) -- Here's a tip for the guy who beat up a 101-year-old woman in a walker and took off with her purse: Get out of New York.

The vicious mugging, caught on surveillance tape, has sparked outrage in a city where people are accustomed to hearing about strange and violent crimes. Police have launched an all-out manhunt, but it's not just the cops who want the villain's head.

"I could hold him, and let the woman beat him up," said Joe Sarju, 59, who lives in the Queens neighborhood where the attack occurred. "I'd love to beat him, but then they would lock me up."

The heartlessness of the March 4 attack is clearly conveyed on the grainy, black-and-white videotape, which has now been broadcast well beyond New York.

In it, 101-year-old Rose Morat is trying to leave her apartment building to go to church. The mugger, a man who looms over the senior citizen and is holding on to a bicycle, pretends to help her get through the vestibule.

Then, he turns to grab Morat's head and delivers three hard punches to her face, and swipes her purse. The dazed victim tries to reach for her purse when the mugger hits her again, pushing her and her walker to the ground. (Watch the mugger pretend to help and then start hitting )

He got away with $33 and Morat's house keys. She suffered a fractured cheekbone and spent time in the hospital. The attack didn't break Morat's spirit, though: She has said in the days since that if she had been just a bit younger, she would have gone after the guy.

"I'm a very strong woman," she said. "I've been that way my whole life."

The NYPD has assigned dozens of detectives to the case and shown every uniformed officer in the city the surveillance video. Police are canvassing nearby residential buildings and businesses. (Watch why pawn shops might hold a clue )

They believe the same man also attacked 85-year-old Solange Elizee, another neighborhood resident, shortly after robbing Morat. Elizee suffered facial cuts and bruises. The mugger took off with $32 and her wedding band.

Based on the victims' memories and the tape, police say the attacker is a black man in his 30s, about 5 feet 10 and 165 pounds. He wore a winter jacket with a fur-lined hood. Police said Tuesday there were no new developments.

Several posters have been placed throughout the generally quiet Queens neighborhood, urging anyone with information to call with tips. So far, at least $18,000 in reward money is being promised by several sources, including the police.

On Tuesday, lawmakers in the state Senate proposed making it a felony to assault anyone older than 70. Currently, such assaults are misdemeanors, punishable by no more than a year in jail.

Meanwhile, New Yorkers struggled for the right words to describe the attacker because expletives just don't seem adequate. In interviews and letters to newspapers, some suggested he deserves life imprisonment -- or perhaps until he's 101. (Watch how the city has marveled at the victim's moxie )

John Brown, 45, said the mugger must have been on drugs, because no rational person would do such a thing. "That was a cowardly act," he fumed.

Others were reminded of the perils that could face their own parents and grandparents. Some wondered whether the mugger's mother was alive.

"My mom is 95, and if someone ever raised a hand to her ... they'd be dead," said Anthony Riccardelli, 58, who works near the crime scene.

For others, it's not just about getting revenge. Glenridge senior center in Queens decided to bring back self-defense courses after receiving dozens of phone calls on the topic after the attacks.

Susan Simonetti, the center's executive director, also had a warning for the mugger: "Pick on somebody your own age."

[vh_chick]

I saw that video. My God, he knocked her hat right off her head. Why the hell do you have to punch an elderly woman in the face? Repeatedly! That guy will get his.

[darthadv]

this doesn't even tell the whole story... this guy allegedly then attacked an 80-something year old woman in the same building, which is no less reprenhensible... he deserves to get the crap kicked out of him... continuously...

[KRAMER5150]

let a vicous dog on his nuts for a while,fucking piece of trash

[graeme]

Only two reasons why a man would do this to any woman:

1. He is clinically insane.

2. He is loaded/withdrawing and is thus, clinically insane.

My head says, find this guy and try to sort out his head so he can help, not harm, others.

My (black) heart says: Put him in a room with others of like mind and just let them go at it.

No need to taint the good nature of good people. Revenge never helped a good person, much as we would like to think it would.

As cold as it sounds, eventually most addicts treat themselves. They overdose. Treatment sucessful.

[darthadv]

Only two reasons why a man would do this to any woman:

1. He is clinically insane.

2. He is loaded/withdrawing and is thus, clinically insane.

My head says, find this guy and try to sort out his head so he can help, not harm, others.

My (black) heart says: Put him in a room with others of like mind and just let them go at it.

No need to taint the good nature of good people. Revenge never helped a good person, much as we would like to think it would.

As cold as it sounds, eventually most addicts treat themselves. They overdose. Treatment sucessful.

you're too kind... he needs to be locked in a room with a vicious bodybuilder with a mean streak...

this guy is an f*n a*hole who does not deserve ANY benefit of the doubt...

[Nostalgia Act]

No need to taint the good nature of good people. Revenge never helped a good person, much as we would like to think it would.

While i believe this now, when my own mother was assaulted and had her purse stolen about 25 years ago i was filled with so much anger and rage, i wanted to kill the bastard. He better hope the police catch him and not John Q Public.

[MF5150]

Only two reasons why a man would do this to any woman:

1. He is clinically insane.

2. He is loaded/withdrawing and is thus, clinically insane.

My head says, find this guy and try to sort out his head so he can help, not harm, others.

My (black) heart says: Put him in a room with others of like mind and just let them go at it.

No need to taint the good nature of good people. Revenge never helped a good person, much as we would like to think it would.

As cold as it sounds, eventually most addicts treat themselves. They overdose. Treatment sucessful.

So the clinically insane are in need of some spare cash sometimes...I guess...I also assume that they stalk old ladies to take it from.

In a perfect society the guy should be locked in a room with a t-bone steak tied to his balls...

Then throw in a couple of Pit Bulls and let them have their dinner.

Can nobody be responsible for their actions anymore. It seems that whenever somebody does something like kill somebody...or hurt somebody...there is always..."He was INSANE". We should feel sorry for him....

Welll...FUCK THAT!