Chelsea Purse Snatcher Throws Elderly Woman to Ground

The NYPD is searching for this woman in connection with an assault and purse snatching in Chelsea. -Photo by NYPD

By Dan Gesslein

Manhattan Voice

April 22, 2025

NEW YORK - An elderly woman is recovering after being thrown to the ground during a purse snatching in Chelsea, cops said. 

The NYPD released surveillance video of a female suspect wanted in the robbery and assault. 

At around 1:40 am on April 18, a 70-year-old woman was walking in front of 575 Avenue of the Americas. Cops said a young woman walked up to her and grabbed her purse. Pulling on the strap, forced the victim to the sidewalk. The attacker then ran off with the purse westbound on West 16th Street. 

EMS transported the victim to Bellevue Hospital where she was treated and listed in stable condition. 

The attacker is described as a female with a dark complexion and long black hair. She was last seen wearing a black puffy jacket and black pants.

Anyone with information in regard to this incident is asked to call the NYPD's Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or for Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782). The public can also submit their tips by logging onto the CrimeStoppers website at https://crimestoppers.nypdonline.org/ or on Twitter @NYPDTips.

All calls are strictly confidential.