78-year-old man shoved, mugged in East Flatbush, Brooklyn

EAST FLATBUSH (WABC) -- Police are looking for a group of suspects in the robbery of an elderly man in the East Flatbush section of Brooklyn.

Surveillance video released by the NYPD show four young men beat the 78-year-old man as they go through his back pockets in the back parking lot of a pay-o-matic check cashing store on Utica Avenue.

"I feel sad, very sad. These are elders. You are supposed to respect your elders. Since I was growing up, they told me to respect my elders," said Hector.

Police say the victim was walking alone towards his car when he was pushed from behind. The suspects stole his wallet with $350 cash, his phone, and his ring. The suspects allegedly followed the man from the check cashing store. Investigators say the fourth suspect is not seen in the surveillance video, because he was acting as the lookout.

The problem with the parking lot is that it is somewhat secluded, and despite the fact that there are cameras posted everywhere, it is dark and quiet at night because it is blocked off on all sides. Many in the neighborhood ay the lot is not safe.

"Nobody can really see what's going on back here. If it was at nighttime, I wouldn't even park back here, I'd park right on the street and go through the front door," says Paul Wilson.

The suspects are described as about 5'9", between 16-21 years old and are roughly 150 pounds. They were last seen wearing blue jeans and hooded sweatshirts. While there are 8 security cameras with 24-hour surveillance in the parking lot, it did little to stop the suspects.

The victim was not seriously injured in the attack, and his identity has not yet been released.

Anyone with information on the case is asked to call 1-800-577-TIPS (8477).