Nurse Dies After Thief Pushes Her Near Times Square: Police

NEW YORK, NY — A 26-year-old New Jersey man faces multiple charges after police said he pushed a woman down, causing her death, as he was fleeing with a cell phone he stole from someone else.

Jermaine Foster, of Irvington, New Jersey, has been initially charged with robbery and assault from the incident that unfolded around 1:20 p.m. on Friday, the New York City Police Department said in a news release.

Police said Foster snatched a cellphone from a 29-year-old woman near 1430 Broadway, near the corner of Broadway and 40th Street in Midtown — steps from Times Square — before fleeing the area.

As he fled, police said Foster pushed the fatal victim, 58-year-old Maria Ambrocio of Bayonne, New Jersey, to the ground and caused her to hit her head on the pavement.

Ambrocio was taken to NYC Health and Hospital/Bellevue, and died the next day, according to police.

"I'm more than heartbroken," Maria Cruz, Ambrocio's best friend, told ABC-7 in New York City. Cruz, a nurse and co-worker of Ambrocio, was at the scene when it happened.

"I heard a big thud, I said 'OMG' and when I looked down I saw her crying," she told ABC.

Police arrested Foster at the scene. More charges are possible, as police labeled the incident a "homicide" in a media news release.