KEY POINTS

  • A thief was captured on camera stealing a 77-year-old woman's purse and Bible in New York City
  • The woman was hit once in the face during the encounter and suffered cuts on her hand
  • Police are offering a reward of up to $3,500 for information that can lead to the arrest of the thief

Police in New York City are on the lookout for a thief wearing a "Star Wars" hoodie who was caught on camera stealing a 77-year-old woman's purse and Bible in broad daylight.

The man, who is now wanted for robbery, approached the unnamed victim around noon Sunday in front of 21-12 36th Avenue in Long Island City, Queens. He assaulted her and took her possessions, the New York Police Department's Crime Stoppers division said in a statement released Monday.

Footage of the incident released by police showed the elderly woman and the suspect engaged in a tug-of-war over the former's bag, which the man was able to snatch away.

"I want money," the suspect told the woman, New York Daily News reported, citing police.

The man wore shades and a "Star Wars" hoodie with a Darth Vader mask pattern.

The suspect was able to land a hit on the victim's face at least once during the encounter, the cellphone footage showed. After snatching the woman's purse and Bible, he then ​fled and vanished on 35th Avenue, police said.

The victim, who fell into a parking pay station during the incident, suffered cuts on her hand. She declined to go to the hospital after being looked over by medical responders.

Police are offering a reward of up to $3,500 for any information that can lead to the identification and arrest of the thief.

Do you have information about a crime? Provide it to us anonymously and receive UP TO $3500 for a tip that leads to an arrest and indictment. Call 800-577-TIPS.

A similar incident happened in July when a group of four was caught on camera beating and robbing a disabled 61-year-old woman on a Harlem sidewalk.

The unnamed victim was attacked by three women and a man near Eighth Avenue and West 151st Street on the evening of July 20. The group used their fists, feet and a metal pot to attack the elderly woman before robbing her of her bag ⁠— which contained her cash and credit cards ⁠— as well as her walker.

The woman claimed the only interaction she had with one of the attackers happened a day prior to the incident when she complimented one of the women's clothes.

"I'd seen the woman in the yellow the day before. She was wearing a suit and I told her she looked nice. I don’t believe this," the victim said.

"I still have headaches. When I get up, the room starts spinning around," she added.

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A 77-year-old woman was attacked by a thief. New York Police Department Crime Stoppers Division
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