In the early hours of Sunday in Briarwood, Queens, a 68-year-old woman fell prey to a mugging incident that took a violent turn as she was robbed and then had her vehicle stolen. Authorities and surveillance footage confirm that the attack occurred near St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church on 152nd Street.
Police report that the elderly victim was accosted around 8:20 a.m. while she was on her way to attend the morning service at the church. The footage, acquired by church officials, captures a younger male assailant who ambushed the woman and forcefully pushed her down the church steps. The suspect proceeded to rob her while she lay injured, taking her belongings and fleeing in her 2006 Nissan Altima.
Father Konstantinos Kalogridis, pastor of the church, expressed his shock at the callous nature of the crime, noting the audacity of assaulting an elderly woman at the church’s doorstep. He expressed hope for swift justice and the perpetrator’s apprehension. The pastor also commented that the victim, a regular parishioner, is well-regarded in the community for her devout faith and contributions.
Although the victim was initially in critical condition, updates indicate that she has since stabilized. The pastor recounted giving her a blessing and communion, joining in prayer for her recovery—a sentiment echoed by the hospital nurses, who also praised the victim’s kind nature.
Source: New York Post
