Robber Pushes 92-Year-Old Man to Ground, Steals Bible, Glasses

A $12,000 reward is being offered for information leading to an arrest

Police are looking for a suspect believed to be in his 30s who threw a 92-year-old man to the ground and stole his Bible and glasses in New York City earlier this week.

Authorities say the suspect followed the victim, Ricardo Velez, to his home near 18th Street in Chelsea at about 11:30 p.m. Monday, pushed him down and ran off with the items. 

Velez hurt his hip in the fracas but is otherwise expected to be OK. From his hospital bed, Velez told NBC 4 New York that he has lived on the same block for 50 years.

He said he was folding up his umbrella after coming through one door of his building late Monday night, when the suspect came from behind and struck him with a blow strong enough to knock him down. 

Raeemas Hernandez called 911 immediately after spotting his elderly neighbor struggling to stand up. 

"I heard him screaming," Hernandez said. "He was down on the floor, and I picked him up."

Police released surveillance video of the suspect. A $12,000 reward is being offered for information leading to an arrest.

Anyone with information about the robbery is asked to call Crime Stoppers at (800) 577-TIPS.

More New York-Area Stories:

Contact Us