Cops Release Additional Video In Violent Choking Of 91-Year-Old Woman On March 2
Video via NYPD
Additional video has been released as police search for a suspect in an incident involving a 91-year-old Elizabeth Gioino, who was choked, robbed, and threatened with a handgun. The video provides a look from a different angle.
On Wednesday March 2, 2016, at approximately 1:00pm, the suspect approached Gioino from behind as she entered 551 9th Street (between 8th Avenue and Prospect Park West). The suspect then placed her in a chokehold and displayed a handgun, according to the police.
Police provided the surveillance video below two days afters after the incident on March 2.
Video via NYPD
The suspect is described as a male, black, 40-50 years old, 5’10”-6’0″, and weighing approximately 250 pounds. Cops say he was last seen wearing a dark-colored hooded sweater, a black jacket, a black wool cap, black gloves, light-colored pants, and dark-colored shoes.
CSB News reports Gioino said, “‘Please leave me alone! I’m a sick woman! I’m old enough! Leave me alone!’ He choked me three times, ‘Give me the money, give me the money!’ I don’t have any money.”
On March 4, Brooklyn Borough President Eric L. Adams and other community leaders appealed to the community-at-large to help find the man responsible.
“[This is] a 250-pound brut who used physical force and a gun that sends a terrible, chilling message in a community which isn’t known for violent crimes of this magnitude,“ Adams said.
The police have offered a $2,500 reward for information about the attacker, which Adams has added an additional $1,000 from his personal account. Adams also wrote a personal check for $175 that will go directly to Gioino to cover what was taken from her in the incident.
Gioino is the second elderly woman to be assaulted and robbed in the area. On February 11 at approximately 2:30pm, the same suspect entered the home of a 71-year-old woman, struck the victim in the head with a handgun, and then demanded money. That incident took place in the vicinity of 6th Avenue and Prospect Place, cops say.
Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or for Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782). The public can also submit tips by logging onto the Crime Stoppers website or by texting your tips to 274637 (CRIMES) then entering TIP577. Police say all calls are confidential.
Additional reporting by Odochi Ibe.
