Police are looking for the robber they said held open the door for a 61-year-old man using a walker, then snatched the chain off his victim's neck as soon as he passed by.
Police said the robber targeted 61-year-old Anthony McBride as he walked into his apartment building on St. Nicholas Avenue, then tossed him down and stole his chain.
McBride, who has used the walker since surviving cancer and suffering a stroke, told NBC 4 New York that at first he thought the robber lived in his building and was trying to help out. Then he was surprised when he found himself on the floor.
"I was kind of scared because it happened so fast I said, 'Wow,'" he said. "When he pushed me down I fell on the floor and I couldn't get back up."
McBride said that he was thankful that the ordeal didn't end more violently, adding "I'm glad to be here." But he said that he's not going to wear valuables outside his home again.
"I'm never going to go outside again with the chain on my neck," he said.
Anyone with information on the robbery should call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS. A $2,500 reward is being offered for information leading to an arrest in the case.
