Man, 81, Stabbed While Fighting Off Mugger On East 19th Street

A tough guy’s plan to knock over and rob an 81-year-old man was foiled on Wednesday when his victim fought back, but the victim was slashed with a knife during the fight.

The Daily News reports:

The man was walking at E. 19 St. between Ave. X and Ave. Y when 35-year-old Adam Smith rode up on a bike and pounced on him around 12:15 p.m., police said.

Smith then locked his arms around the elderly man’s neck and demanded money, police said.

But the octogenarian refused to relent, fighting off Smith who then slashed him across the chest with a knife during the scuffle, police said.

Smith was later arrested for robbery, felony assault, resisting arrest and criminal possession of weapon. He has 15 prior arrests.

The victim was taken to Lutheran Medical Center and is expected to make a full recovery.