Kensington Woman Fifth Victim Of Suspect Who Targets The Elderly
Footage from violent incident in Kensington on March 26. (Video via NYPD)
After striking for at least a fifth time this weekend, police continue to pursue a suspect wanted in a string of violent incidents targeting elderly women.
On Saturday March 26, 2016 at approximately 4:38pm, the suspect followed an 83-year-old woman into her building, located in the vicinity of Ocean Parkway and Beverley Road in Kensington.
Once the victim was inside of her apartment, the suspect knocked on her door. After she opened the door, the suspect hit her in the face with a hard object. The suspect did not remove any items from her home and fled the building in an unknown direction.
The suspect is identified as a male, black, 40-60 years old, 5’10”, and last seen wearing a black jacket.
Police believe the suspect in the March 26 incident is connected to four other recent incidents involving elderly women.
On Wednesday, January 20, 2016, at approximately 5:00pm in the vicinity of Myrtle Avenue and Weirfield Street (in Ridgewood, Queens), an unidentified male followed a 76-year-old female into his residence, police say. As the victim reached the door, the suspect put his hands over her mouth and pushed her inside. He demanded money at knife point and then pointed a firearm at an 87-year-old male demanding more money. The suspect fled with approximately $800.
On Thursday, February 11, 2016 at approximately 2:30pm, the suspect entered the home of a 71-year-old woman. The suspect 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.
On Wednesday March 2, 2016, at approximately 1:00pm, the suspect approached 91-year-old Elizabeth 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.
On Saturday, March 19, 2016, at approximately 5:15pm in the vicinity of Prospect Place and Carlton Avenue, an unidentified male followed a 43-year-old male into his residence and then demanded money. The suspect then observed an 81-year-old female, approached her with both a handgun and boxcutter, and demanded money. The suspect fled on foot with approximately $330. There were no injuries as a result of this incident.
Cops recently released additional video in Giono’s choking incident.
Video via NYPD
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.
At the time of the announcement by Adams, police were aware of two of the five incidents.
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.