THE BRONX — A tenacious 64-year-old woman kept a firm grip on her handbag Sunday and wouldn't let go as a mugger grabbed for her purse and shoved her to the ground in Claremont, police said.
The victim was walking on a crowded Third Avenue sidewalk near Claremont Parkway at about 6:10 p.m. Sunday when the suspect, wearing a white head wrap, approached her from behind and forced her to the ground, police said.
The woman managed to fend off the man, who was described as in his late teens to early 20s with a thin build. He fled south on Third Avenue, police said.
The woman suffered minor injuries and refused medical attention at the scene, according to an NYPD spokesman.
Anyone with is asked to call the NYPD's Crime Stoppers Hotline at 800-577-TIPS or for Spanish 1-888-57-PISTA (74782). The public can also submit tips by logging onto the Crime Stoppers website at www.nypdcrimestoppers.com.
