Watch CBS News

Elderly Woman Fights Off Attacker During Robbery Attempt In Del.

NEW CASTLE, Del. (CBS) - Police in Delaware are searching for a suspect who attempted to steal a purse from an elderly woman early Monday morning.

According to investigators, the suspect approached the elderly victim as she was exiting her car and attempted to steal her purse. The victim refused to let go and a struggle occurred between the two.

The victim was able to fight off her attacker and hold on to her purse as the suspect fled the area empty handed.

"I'm an old lady but I was fighting for my life," the victim, who asked to remain anonymous, told Eyewitness News. "I just kept fighting her until the end. I was not going to give up."

The elderly victim believes she was followed home after she gave blood at a Quest Diagnostics off of Basin Road and picked up some milk and bread at a nearby Wawa.

The victim explained, "To come up with a veil over her face, she had all purpose in the world, she must have seen me and she knew she was going to grab my purse. She beat me. She hit me along side of the face and she was smacking me and I was punching her the whole time because by this time, I was really getting ticked off."

The victim added, "I just hope to catch this (expletive) because she could be doing this to somebody else tomorrow."

The suspect is described as a white female, approximately 30 years of age, 5'5" tall and 130 pounds. She was wearing all black clothing and had her face concealed. She possibly fled the scene in a white-colored four-door sedan.

The victim was not injured during the altercation and she refused treatment at the scene.

Anyone with information is urged to contact the New Castle County Police Department at 302-395-8110 or Crime Stoppers at 800-TIP-3333.


View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.