Elderly NYC woman fights off robber who followed her home

An 80-year-old woman fought off a mugger who followed her into the lobby of her Upper East Side apartment building and attacked her, officials said Friday.

Cops released startling surveillance video showing the ferocious struggle over the woman’s purse inside the lobby of the building near E. 88th St. and First Ave. about 8:20 p.m. Jan. 9, police said.

When the creep grabbed her purse and tried to take off with it she held tight to the strap as they pull back and forth on it. She continued to struggle with him even after falling to the floor, the video shows.

Her cries for help alerted a 28-year-old neighbor who emerged from his apartment to help fight the crook off.

Her attacker fled empty-handed east on E. 88th St. with a second man who acted as a lookout.

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The same would-be robbers, joined by a third man, are being sought for a successful purse snatching on E. 92nd St. and Lexington Ave. at about 12:30 a.m. on Dec. 15, cops said.

When their 23-year-old victim resisted, they shoved her, grabbed the purse and ran off west on E. 92nd St.

Cops are asking the public’s help identifying the culprits and released surveillance photos of the trio in addition to the video.

One suspect was wearing a red hooded sweater, a black-and-blue coat, black jeans and black sneakers.

The second suspect was wearing a black hooded jacket, black jeans and black shoes.

The third suspect was wearing a dark hooded coat, blue jeans, and black sneakers and used a cane.

Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at (800) 577-TIPS. Calls are confidential.