Arrest made in two violent robberies on Upper East Side

Wednesday, January 24, 2018
UPPER EAST SIDE, Manhattan (WABC) -- Police have made an arrest in two violent robberies on the Upper East Side.

Police say Ernesto Jimenez-Santiago, 19, is one of the men involved in the robbery of an 80-year-old woman, who was followed into her building earlier this month.
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It happened on Tuesday, January 9th around 8:20 p.m.

Video shows her struggling with her attacker as he tried to steal her purse inside her apartment complex on E. 88th Street and 1st Avenue.

After a struggle, she fell to the floor and screamed for help.
Jimenez-Santiago is also charged in the robbery of a 23-year-old woman on December 15th.

It happened at12:30 a.m. at Lexington and East 92nd Street, just a few blocks away.



One man tried to grab a 23-year-old woman's purse, and when he was unsuccessful, two other men joined in the attack and stole her purse.
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One thing of note is that one of the men in that robbery was seen using a cane.

"I've never really felt unsafe in this neighborhood, but it kind of makes you have your guard up more," said Mara Van Geldern, a resident.

Police are continuing to search for the other two suspects.

Police are asking anyone with information on this to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS.

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