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Thug caught on camera beating 85-year-old Brooklyn woman

BY SIMONE WEICHSELBAUM
DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER

Monday, August 18th 2008, 4:52 PM

Cops released video on Monday capturing a cruel punk's attack on an 85-year-old Brooklyn woman — and she's not his only victim.

The surveillance video shows the robber following Lilian France into the elevator of a Crown Heights building, stalking her into a hallway and then choking her from behind.

France waved her arms, desperately trying to throw off her attacker.
She was left panting on the floor as he ran off with $900 — and her cane, the video shows.

Police believe the cowardly thug has gone after nearly a dozen seniors in Crown Heights, Kensington and Flatbush during the last few months.

The robber — described as a man in his 20's or 30's sporting a "nice watch, baseball cap and white sneakers" — likes to follow his prey into their apartment lobbies to share an elevator ride, said police.

Then, "he approaches them from behind," said NYPD spokesman, Assistant Chief Michael Collins. "Either knocks them over or puts them in chokehold."

Anyone with information about his whereabouts should call the NYPD's Crime Stoppers Hotline at 800-577-TIPS, or text in their tips to 274637 and then enter TIP577.

There is a reward of up to $12,000 if he is captured.

Copyright 2008 New York Daily News

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Video of the attack ... here.