Bat-Wielding NYC Homeowner Catches Porch Pirate in Trap, Retaliates Against Theft

In a shocking incident, a 68-year-old woman was pushed down a flight of stairs and robbed as she walked into a church in Queens, according to the NYPD. The suspect, who remains at large, forcefully shoved the woman and stole $300, her cellphone, and her car, leaving her in immense pain on the ground. The horrifying attack was captured by security cameras at the St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church in the Jamaica section of Queens, New York.

Assault and Robbery

The assailant followed the unsuspecting victim up the steps of the church and then abruptly knocked her down, causing her to go airborne over all three steps and land on her back. The thief was then seen rummaging through her purse before making his escape with her 2006 Nissan Altima, as reported by the police.

Suspect Description

The NYPD described the suspect as an 18 to 25-year-old man with a dark complexion, standing at 5 feet 8 inches in height with a medium build. He was last seen wearing a red hooded sweatshirt under a black jacket, black pants, a black face mask, and black Jordans with red trim.

Victim's Condition

The victim, in critical condition, was immediately transported to a hospital following the assault. The Rev. Konstantinos Kalogridis confirmed that the parishioner is awake and recovering. He personally visited her at the hospital, providing her with a blessing, holy communion, and a small prayer along with an icon.

Appeal for Information

The woman's nephew shared the NYPD's wanted poster and video of the incident, urging everyone to share the information and help find the perpetrator. Anyone with information about the incident has been asked to come forward and contact the NYPD's Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or for Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782). Tips can also be submitted through the Crime Stoppers website or on X @NYPDTips, with the assurance of confidentiality.

Appeal for Assistance

The public is urged to come forward and assist in identifying the perpetrator to ensure justice for the victim. The NYPD's efforts to locate and apprehend the suspect are reliant on the cooperation and support of the community. Any information, no matter how small, could be critical in bringing the offender to justice.