Crown Heights Man Indicted For Violently Robbing 81-year-old: DA

CROWN HEIGHTS, BROOKLYN — The Brooklyn District Attorney's office announced an indictment against a man accused of breaking into a senior's home, choking her to unconsciousness twice and sexually assaulting her.

Thomas Johnson, 50, broke into the home of an 81-year-old woman in Crown Heights on September 27 at around 3 a.m, according to the DA's announcement.

When the victim awoke to investigate the noise, Johnson strangled her until she lost consciousness, the DA's office said.

Once the victim awoke, she attempted to crawl towards her bedroom, according to the DA's announcement, until Johnson came and strangled her until she passed out a second time.

A relative who lives in the apartment above the victim heard her cries for help and dialed 911, the DA said.

The elderly victim suffered injuries to her genitals, bleeding from the mouth, a dislocated jaw, difficulty breathing and swelling around her face, according to the announcement.

In the announcement, District Attorney Eric Gonzalez said, “The violent and brutal assault of an elderly woman allegedly perpetrated by this defendant shocks the conscience and our prosecutors are committed to seeking justice and accountability. This kind of depraved conduct will not be tolerated, and our thoughts remain with the victim as she recovers from this horrifically traumatic crime.”

Johnson, a Crown Heights resident, was arraigned on a 16-count indictment, including burglary, strangulation and assault, all as sexually motivated felonies, among other charges, the DA's office said.

He is being held without bail and his next court appearance is Dec. 1.