Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Senior Who Was Tied Up, Pistol-Whipped In Home Invasion: "I Don't Take Crap From Nobody"
By
Nathan Tempey
Published Aug 23, 2015
Modified Jul 24, 2017
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
Nathan Tempey
Published Aug 23, 2015
Modified Jul 24, 2017
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
Anthony Puzio of Ozone Park had a rough Saturday morning. Home invaders tied up the 76-year-old veteran and punched and pistol-whipped him in search of riches he says he doesn't have. When a masked gunman first burst through his second-floor window around 6 a.m., he tried to fight back, but it was no use.
"He started punching, he hit me once over here with a gun, and punched me on the side," a battered Puzio told CBS. "I was struggling with him. But what am I going to do? I'm a 76-year-old man, he's about 30, maybe, 29."
The goon demanded to know where cash was stashed, but as Puzio puts it, "I got no money." Downstairs, the intruder let in a man and a woman, and after two hours, they left and he was able to wriggle free of the zip-tie around his legs. Hands still tied, fractured nose bloody, he saw two sanitation workers and ran up to them. They cut him loose.
Puzio was surprisingly peppy during his interview with CBS after being released from Jamaica Hospital. It's not clear what the immediate context of the remark was, but at some point he told the assembled camera crews outside his 101st Street house, "I don't take crap from nobody," and judging by how agitated he appears, he meant it.
Police have not made an arrest in the case, and Puzio did not get a good look at any of the intruders' faces. The trio made off with his wallet, $25, a TV, and other items.
Tagged
anthony puzio
fight back
home invasion
nypd
ozone park
senior citizen
Nathan Tempey
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Mamdani names re-entry specialist as chair of Rikers oversight board
Christopher Watler will help the department that a federal monitor says remains in crisis.
By
Ryan Kost
Published Oct 6, 2026 at 3:52 p.m. ET
NYC weighs expanding upstate reservoir following drought
The Delaware River Basin Commission is evaluating options to increase water storage, including expanding a reservoir in New York City.
By
Rosemary Misdary
News
NYC weighs expanding upstate reservoir following drought
The Delaware River Basin Commission is evaluating options to increase water storage, including expanding a reservoir in New York City.
By
Rosemary Misdary
Legionella found in Staten Island building's water system after 2 positive cases
By
Catalina Gonella
Legal 'loophole' helps NY Gov. Kathy Hochul, Bruce Blakeman raise millions
By
Jon Campbell
Police identify 2 men wanted for stabbing an off-duty NYPD officer
By
Ben Feuerherd
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 .