92-year-old woman beaten, bound during home invasion

EWING TWP., N.J. -- Police in Ewing, New Jersey are searching for two men who assaulted a 92-year-old woman in her home.

The incident occurred sometime between Monday night and Tuesday morning on Manor Drive.

Police say two men broke into the woman's home while she was asleep.

They ransacked the place and demanded money.

"Pulled the covers off the woman and proceeded to beat her amongst her body," Ewing Township Detective Nicholas Muscente said.

They then bound her with an appliance cord and dragged her to the basement.

When a concerned friend noticed her door was open Tuesday morning, she called police.

Arriving officers found the 92-year old conscious, but badly beaten.

"Fractured skull, bleeding on the brain, numerous facial fractures, and possibly a broken rib," Muscente said.

She was taken to Capital Health Regional Medical Center in guarded condition.

Bob Strack has lived next to the woman for 50 years and can't imagine why anyone would hurt her.

"She is quiet, keeps to herself. She used to belong to the garden club," Strack said.

Neighbors on the quiet street say they are shaken and taking precautions.

Police are beefing up patrols and tracking down leads in a case that they call their top priority.

"It could be anyone in the neighborhood. We don't believe it is a family or friend, but we are looking at all different avenues," Muscente said.

Police haven't released a description of the attackers and what, if anything, they made off with.

Investigators plan to talk to the victim at her hospital bed Wednesday morning to try to get more details.

Anyone with information on the suspects should contact Detective Muscente at 609-882-1313 ext. 7596 or the Ewing Police Tip Line at 609-882-7530.