UPDATE: Arrests Made Following Robbery of Elderly Woman in West Philadelphia
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- A couple accused of stealing $8,000 from an 80-year-old West Philadelphia woman is behind bars.
Philadelphia Police say 57-year-old Vickson Korlewala and 51-year-old Lorpu Korlewala were taken into custody on Wednesday.
CBS 3's Natasha Brown spoke with the victim.
"I was shaking when I realized what going on," she said.
This 80-year-old victim whose identity we're protecting is still nearly paralyzed by fear, days after a couple robbed her of thousands of dollars.
"They evil people. No right person in their mind don't do that to another person," she said.
The victim was on her way to the Salvation Army near 55th and Market Street Monday afternoon when she was approached by a man and woman. They claimed they had money to give her, but it was all a hoax. Police say they forced her into a car and drove her to this Citizens Bank in the 2900 block of Island Avenue and forced her to withdraw $8,000.
(Reporter:) "You didn't do it, sir."
"No, no, I did not do anything to her."
An adamant denial of the charges from 57-year-old Vickson Korlewala. His 51-year-old wife, Lorpu, is also now in police custody. Police searched the couple's braiding business and home at 55th and Market Street and used vivid bank video to lead them to their suspects.
"Any time you have an elderly victim, someone who is taken advantage of by people like this, we charge pretty hard to try to get these people off the street. Because although we have two victims that we know at this point, there may have been other victims," Lt. John Walker of Philadelphia Police said.
The elderly victim more guarded now than ever, passing on her daily excursions out of her home, news of an arrest at least brings some relief.
The two suspects have been charged with robbery, kidnapping, unlawful restraint, theft, conspiracy, and simple assault.
Police tell CBS 3 they're looking into whether they may be connected to another robbery back in February of a 92-year-old woman in Center City Philadelphia.
