Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Arrest in Brooklyn Elevator Granny Beating
By
Jen Chung
Published Aug 21, 2008
Modified Aug 21, 2008
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Jen Chung
Published Aug 21, 2008
Modified Aug 21, 2008
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
The police have arrested a suspect in the brutal attack and robbery of an 85-year-old woman in a Crown Heights elevator last week. According to the Daily News, Cornelius Abson "confessed and then apologized for choking and robbing Lillian France." But a police source adds, "He's sorry he got caught. He wasn't sorry when he was choking the lady."
It's suspected that Abson followed France from her bank on Eastern Parkway to the apartment building--she had $900 on her. He may also have attacked many other elderly Brooklyn residents, robbing them of money and other items, like a Medicaid card and a bible. Yesterday, City Council member Letitia James and Brooklyn DA Charles Hynes each added $1,000 to the reward money, which now totals $14,000. Hynes said, "If you've seen the video, then you know that this attack was gratuitous. He even grabbed her cane - it was sociopathic conduct."
France is still in the hospital. Per the Post, she suffered "internal bruising of her throat, as well as lacerations and bruises on her face."
Tagged
attack
brooklyn
choking
elderly attack
Lillian France
robbery
Jen Chung
Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Queens man charged with hate crime at Jewish-owned bagel shop displaying Israeli flags
Prosecutors say the 22-year-old damaged property outside the Fresh Meadows shop twice in May.
By
Giulia Heyward
Published Oct 19, 2026 at 6:07 p.m. ET
MTA train yards are in such bad shape plants are growing out of the roof, watchdog says
In some cases, the damage was “clearly not recent."
By
Stephen Nessen
News
MTA train yards are in such bad shape plants are growing out of the roof, watchdog says
In some cases, the damage was “clearly not recent."
By
Stephen Nessen
High-ranking NYC officials to testify in ex-buildings boss Eric Ulrich's corruption trial
By
David Brand
Mamdani launches new team to help NYers keep SNAP, Medicaid benefits
By
Caroline Lewis
Riders at 53rd St. station where man was fatally shot say they worry about gun violence
By
Ramsey Khalifeh
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .