HAMILTON HEIGHTS — A man offered to help a woman with a walker into her Hamilton Heights building, then put her in a choke hold and robbed her, police said Tuesday.
Carre Ramirez, 48, was trying to get into the lobby of her Hamilton Place building about 2:30 a.m. July 15 when the suspect opened the glass door for her, according to the NYPD.
Police released surveillance footage that shows Ramirez placing her walker on the steps before the man wraps his arm around her neck. He wrestled the woman to the ground and yanked two gold chains from her neck before running off, cops said.
Ramirez was treated for minor injuries, police said.
The suspect was wearing a light-colored baseball cap, a large white T-shirt and dark pants, video shows.
Several neighbors said Ramirez was often seen on her stoop in the early hours of the morning.
Sura George, who lives in the building where the attack occurred, said she believes she has seen the suspect before, but does not know his name or exact connection to the area.
“His face is familiar, he’s from the neighborhood. He knew when and how to attack her," George said. “It’s not like he’s a random person.”
George said Ramirez, who is a family friend, didn't mention the attack in the days that followed. She said the news was disheartening to residents who felt the neighborhood was on the upswing.
“This is not the safest neighborhood, (but) it has gotten better over the years," the 30-year-old said. "People feel safer in this neighborhood, so it’s sad that this happened.”
Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at (800) 577-TIPS (8477).
