NEW YORK CITY — Police on Friday arrested a Bronx man they say followed a woman into the vestibule of her apartment before beating her and grabbing her purse.
Clarence Copeland, 54, followed his 54-year-old victim into the East 67th Street building as she was walked into the vestibule, then cornered her and punched her in the face and body until she handed over her purse, police said. He ran off with the bag, which contained her cellphone, according to the NYPD.
The woman was taken to New York-Presbyterian Hospital with a cut to her left eye and bruising on her face, police said.
Copeland, who lives in Mott Haven, was arraigned on robbery in the second degree, for causing injury, on Saturday, according to online court records.
He did not post bail, which was set at $50,000 cash or bond, and is currently being held at the Manhattan Detention Complex on Court Street. He is due back in court on Thursday.
His attorney did not immediately return a call for comment on Monday.
