City sanitation workers save elderly man from Ozone Park home invasion

OZONE PARK (WABC) -- Bound, bleeding and barely clothed, two Queens sanitation workers immediately pulled over when they found a 76-year-old man running toward their truck early Saturday.

"I hopped out the truck to see what's going on and he explained to me that he was just robbed," says sanitation worker Michael Bermudez.

"He told us somebody broke into his home and tied him up and beat him up," says sanitation worker Joseph Felicetti.

According to police an armed suspect used a ladder to enter through a second floor bedroom window of the victim's home, and then let in two other suspects, a male and female, who helped tie and beat up the elderly veteran. Investigators say the suspects then beat the defenseless man with a firearm and stole a cell phone, TV and his wallet before running away.

The victim was taken to Jamaica Hospital for treatment, meanwhile shocked and stunned neighbors say crimes like this just don't happen in this area.

"It's surprising and it's scary," says neighbor Anthony Ricciardi, "everybody knows everybody, everybody knows whose car is here, everybody knows whose face is here."

The victim is currently recovering at Jamaica Hospital.

Police are reviewing surveillance cameras from nearby locations, but need the public's help. Anyone with any information should give them a call.