Thief Steals Purse From Elderly Woman's Walker On UWS: Video

UPPER WEST SIDE, NY — A man snatched a 90-year-old woman's purse as she pushed it on a walker on the Upper West Side, according to police, who released video of the brazen theft.

Footage shows the elderly woman walking slowly through the courtyard of the apartment building at 20 West 64th St., between Broadway and Central Park West, at around 6:45 p.m. on May 10.

As she pushes her walker toward the courtyard's exit, a man in a winter coat approaches from behind, the video shows. As she nears the exit, the man reaches down, grabs the brown bag from her walker, and jogs off in the opposite direction as the elderly victim watches.

Subsequent footage shows the man walking along a busy street after the theft, holding what appears to be the brown leather bag.

This is the second theft targeting an elderly Upper West Sider to be reported in recent weeks: earlier in May, a 95-year-old man had his electric wheelchair stolen by an unknown suspect who then took it on a joyride down West End Avenue, according to police. No arrests have been announced in that case.

Police, who released video of the bag theft on Monday, asked anyone with information to call the NYPD Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or for Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782). People can also submit tips online or on Twitter, @NYPDTips.