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Senior Woman Fights Back Against Teen Muggers in NYC Subway
In an empowering display of resilience, a 71-year-old woman thwarted an attempted robbery by a group of teenage girls while heading to a church service on New Year’s Day in Brooklyn. This incident occurred around 6 p.m. as the woman disembarked from a Number 3 train at Hoyt Station.
The woman, identified as Linda Rosa, was approached by the teens who attempted to steal her bag, physically assaulting her in the process. Their actions are part of a disturbing trend of violence on New York City’s subway system, a concern that has escalated in recent weeks.
New York City has seen a surge in violent crime, with this incident highlighting the dangers faced by commuters, particularly among vulnerable populations such as the elderly.
According to a report by the NYPD and the New York Post, video footage has emerged of the teens laughing as they entered the subway system, demonstrating a troubling disregard for their actions.
Police are currently seeking assistance from the public in locating the suspects, who managed to evade capture after the attack. Rosa’s account provides a chilling insight into the events as they unfolded.
She recounted the harrowing experience, stating that the teens were aggressive from the start. One attempted to grab her purse while another asked if she was ready to fight. The situation escalated rapidly, with Rosa being hit in the face, an act that sent her glasses tumbling to the ground.
Despite initially feeling overwhelmed, Rosa demonstrated remarkable courage. After being knocked down, she expressed her determination not to be victimized. “I got up right away, and with that, I grabbed her braids,” she explained. “Then the other young lady said, ‘Let her go.’ And I said, ‘Oh, no, I’m not letting her go.’”
Rosa’s fight-back tactic involved twisting the teenagers’ hair to subdue them as she called out for help. Her fierce resolve ultimately compelled the girls to flee, leaving the scene in confusion.
Once the attackers were gone, Rosa sought refuge at a nearby church, where she received medical attention for her minor injuries. Emergency services transported her to The Brooklyn Hospital Center where she was treated and listed in stable condition.
Reflecting on the encounter, Rosa expressed gratitude that the assailants did not wield any weapons and conveyed her forgiveness, stating, “They do not know what they do. It’s just teenagers acting foolish.” However, her experience has made her acutely aware of the increasing unpredictability of safety in the subway system.
“It could happen to anybody,” she emphasized. “Now we’re seeing seniors getting attacked. Anywhere – it can happen anywhere, any station.”
This incident coincides with a spate of violent occurrences across the subway network, including a serious incident just a day prior, where a man was shoved onto the tracks. Other recent crimes have further fueled concerns about safety in the transit system, despite officials claiming efforts to enhance security.
Governor Kathy Hochul, however, has recently promoted the subway as a safe mode of transportation, which raises questions in light of these alarming incidents.
Original article source: Gutsy woman, 71, fends off violent attack by 4 teen girls on blue city subway
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