A 68-year-old woman was left clinging to life when a mugger punched her down the steps of a Queens church before driving off in her car, police said Monday.
The crook was walking behind the victim when she headed up the steps to St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church in Briarwood about 8:20 a.m. Sunday, cops said. The church has a service that begins at 8:30 a.m.
He ran up in front of her and punched her in the face, sending her tumbling back down the stairs on 152nd St. near 84th Drive.
The robber snatched the woman’s purse, which contained $300 and her cell phone, credit cards and car keys, before driving off in her 2006 Nissan Altima. He has not been caught.
Medics rushed the victim in critical condition to New York-Presbyterian Hospital Queens.
On Monday, the NYPD released surveillance footage of the suspect, who was wearing a black surgical mask and a red hoodie under a black jacket, and asked the public’s help identifying him and tracking him down.
Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at (800) 577-TIPS. All calls will be kept confidential.
Misdemeanor assaults are up 7% in the city so far this year compared to the same time period last year and felony assaults are up 3%.
