Woman with walker attacked, robbed in Lakeview high-rise

CHICAGO (WLS) -- An elderly woman walking with a walker was knocked to the ground and robbed as she was getting off the elevator on the lobby floor at her high-rise apartment building in Lakeview.

Security cameras were rolling as the disturbing crime unfolded just before 9 a.m. on Easter Sunday in the 3600-block of N. Pine Grove.

"I have never seen anything like this happen in this building before, so it is kind of shocking to me," said Alec Sanders, a neighbor.

"I hope she is okay, number one, but I am not really surprised because the crime rates it is all over this city," said Lenette Cole, another neighbor.

In the video, the suspect pushes the elderly woman into the elevator, where a struggle ensues off-camera. Seconds later, he walks off with her purse, leaving the victim on the ground.

"Well she seemed like would be easy to get the purse away from," said Jim Davis, a neighbor.

Those who live in the building want to know if the suspect is a resident. And if not, how he managed to get into the building.

"There are people, like Good Samaritans, maybe open the door for somebody if they are struggling with their keys. But other than that, you have to buzz in or you have to have a key," Sanders said.

Neighbors said many seniors call this apartment building home. It's the reason some believe the man chose his prey here.

"I am a target. I think that all the time," Davis said.

Police are still looking for the suspect. Anyone with information is asked to contact Area North detectives at (312) 744-8263.