Elderly robbery victim speaks out about Lakeview attack

CHICAGO (WLS) -- The 75-year-old victim of a brutal attack is speaking out after a man knocked her down and stole her purse on Easter Sunday.

Detectives continued to interview witnesses and residents Monday at the building in the 3600-block of N. Pine Grove in Lakeview, where police say a male intruder attacked and robbed an elderly woman as she tried to exit the elevator with her walker on Sunday morning. She was on her way to visit her husband.

"He's very sick. He's in nursing home for two years and I'm alone," the victim said.

An elderly woman with a walker was robbed inside an apartment building in Chicago's Lakeview neighborhood. She spoke to ABC7 about the attack.

In surveillance video, the attacker is not readily recognizable, but police hope someone will know who he is and turn him in. The victim said she couldn't get a proper look.

"He not talk, nothing. Put me on the floor. Boom, boom, boom. Whole purse, he take it," the victim said.

Residents said the building is full of elderly tenants and people who have physical disabilities - easy prey for those looking to do harm.

"My mom is disabled. She does live here. God forbid that happened to her," said Elnas Topic, whose mother lives in the building.

The apartment building does not have a doorman, rather, visitors need to be buzzed in or let in by a resident.

Vesna Jovanvic said she may have seen the intruder as she was leaving the building, but refused to give him access.

Those who live here said that people have walked in behind residents before, but never have any of them been attacked inside their own building.

"No morals at all. No morals. I swear," said Willie Walker, a building resident.

Community activist Andrew Holmes called the security footage heartbreaking. He said he hopes a $1,000 reward will help solve the crime.

"I want someone to come forward and give this individual up because this may not have been the first time he has hurt a senior. When you look at this video, it's so disturbing," Holmes said.

Police issued a community alert with a description of the suspect. He is an African American or Hispanic man in his late 30s or early 40s. He is between 5 ft. 10 in. and 6 ft. tall and weighs between 200 and 210 pounds.

Anyone with information should call Area North detectives at 312-744-8263. Holmes said tips left at 1-800-883-5587 will be confidential.