Video: 81-Year-Old Grandfather Beaten By Thief

Ben Yakas

Published Oct 1, 2011

Modified Oct 1, 2011

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 .

Ben Yakas

Published Oct 1, 2011

Modified Oct 1, 2011

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

An 81-year-old Bronx grandfather was attacked and beaten by a thief, and the whole altercation was caught on video. Octogenarian Jose Rodriguez described the attack to the News, recounting that he was jumped by the assailant and put in a chokehold in the lobby of his Parkchester apartment building Thursday afternoon: "I was going to give him what he wanted. I wasn't going to put up a fight, but he punched me in my face. I don't know why he did that." Watch below:

Rodriguez said he tried to protect himself: "I covered my face. He just kept hitting me and hitting me." The thief took Rodriguez's gold cross necklace and wallet, which only had $30 and credit cards. Rodriguez, a retired boiler room worker who has lived in the building for 35 years, was hospitalized with minor injuries that evening and left with a black right eye. Police describe the thief as between 17 and 20 years old. He was wearing a dark blue t-shirt and black sneakers and carrying a backpack during the attack.

Now Rodriguez, who has three grown children and two grandkids, is scared of his own neighborhood: "Everything has changed. I used to go get my hair cut at two or three in the morning, and I'd never have a problem. Now it's different. These young kids don't respect the old people like they used to."

Tagged

attack

beating

bronx

grandfather

octogenarian

thief