81-year-old woman followed into Bronx building, robbed of '#1 Grandma' chain
BELMONT, Bronx (WABC) -- Police are investigating if two similar robberies targeting elderly victims in the Bronx are connected, and they're hoping surveillance video will lead to an arrest.
Authorities say Laura Passero, an 81-year-old grandmother, was attacked Sunday near her home on the 2400 block of Arthur Avenue.
"She's very nervous," Passero's daughter said. "She starts trembling during the night because she's very afraid and scared."
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Officials say the video showed a man standing outside Passero's apartment building, apparently waiting for a target. Passero came into his view, started to open her front door, and the suspect promptly followed behind.
"She was screaming," her daughter said. "He pushed her. He threw her on the floor, and with his leg, he kicked her twice."
Right after he kicked Passero, he allegedly pulled the gold necklace from off her neck and ran off.
The value of the gold necklace was simply priceless to Passero, because received it from her grandchildren. It read "#1 Grandma," and there were eight charms, representing her eight grandkids.
Passero has lived in the neighborhood for over 50 years, and she tells Eyewitness News that she never had any problems until the recent attack.
"She's going to talk to the board and see if they can put some type of security system in the front some camera, inside the building," her daughter said.
Another incident targeting an elderly woman happened last week, and not too far away. A 90-year-old woman said she returned home from church to find a man in her apartment. Police say he snatched her gold chain and $40 before fleeing the scene.
Police say the 90-year-old victim's description of the suspect is very similar to Sunday's incident, but they are not officially linking the two crimes.
Anyone with information about the case is asked to call 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or for Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782).
