NEW YORK (1010 WINS/WCBS 880) – A 68-year-old woman was fighting for her life Monday after a robber punched her in the face and knocked her down a Queens church staircase Sunday before stealing her purse and taking off in her car.
The NYPD released surveillance images Monday of the suspect they're searching for in the violent robbery outside Saint Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church in Briarwood.
The victim was in front of the church on 152nd Street at 8:20 a.m. when a male, believed to be in his late teens or early 20s, sucker punched her, causing her to fall down the flight of stairs, police said.
The thief stole her purse, which contained $300 cash, a cell phone, credit card and car keys, according to cops.
He then fled in the victim's 2006 Nissan Altima, police said.
EMS rushed the victim to New York-Presbyterian Queens, where she was listed in critical condition.
Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS.