Woman, 66, suffers severe beating, grips her money

Police are searching for an unidentified suspect who robbed and brutally beat an elderly woman after following her from a West Philadelphia convenient store.

The brazen daylight attack occurred just before 9 a.m. Friday morning, after the 66-year-old woman used an ATM machine at the Lucky Food Market at 57th and Arch Streets, said Lt. John Walker, of Southwest Detectives.

The suspect, described as about 35-years-old black male, wearing dark colored shirt, dark shorts, and carrying a hooded sweatshirt over his shoulder, followed the woman into the store, watching her as she used the ATM machine, Walker said.

Waiting outside, the suspect, described as about 6'2, followed the 5'4 woman for about a block then, came up behind, yelling, "Give me the money," Walker said.

The woman tried to fend off her attacker, who repeatedly punched her in the face, blackening both of her eyes, and knocking her unconscious.

"At her age and his size, he quickly overpowers her, but then continues on beating her savagely," Walker said. "She's 66 and like most grandparents a little fiesty but she was no match" for the attacker.

Leaving the woman in a pool of blood, the suspect fled with her ATM card, and small cigarette purse.

The woman was able to hold onto her money, Walker said.

With both of her eyes swollen shut, the woman was treated and released for multiple facial fractures Friday at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania.

Police are expected to release surveillance footage of the suspect Monday, Walker said.