Surveillance video shows 79-year-old man mugged, pants ripped off
BROOKLYN, N.Y. (WABC) -- Police are looking for two suspects who mugged a 79-year-old man in Brooklyn Tuesday, ripping his pants off before stealing $1,100 in cash.
The incident happened around 4:30 p.m. near Albemarle Road and East 21st Street in Flatbush, when victim Earlin Clark says the two men came out of nowhere and grabbed him from behind as he was pulling out his keys to his apartment.
He called the experience traumatizing, as surveillance video shows the suspects choking him before throwing him to the ground and ripping off his pants before taking off with his wallet with the cash and his credit cards, as well as his cell phone.
He says his neck is still sore because they nearly crushed his windpipe, and his knee is banged up from being tossed around.
Authorities say the two suspects used the stolen credit cards at an Adidas store at Kings Plaza on Flatbush Avenue, leaving a clear image of what they look like.
Clark says he couldn't believe what was happening to him.
"One grabbed me and was choking me almost to death, and the other one came to the front to go through my pockets," he said. "I thought it was a dream. I couldn't believe it, because going with an innocent mind and not have problems for 30-some years."
Despite what happened, Clark is keeping a positive attitude. He says he is lucky to be alive and that this could have been so much worse. As for if he believes those two men knew he was carrying that much cash, he thinks they may have followed him home from the ATM.
Anyone with information about the case is asked to call 800-577-TIPS.
