Seniors who survived mugging honored

As a citywide manhunt continues for the punk who beat and robbed Rose Morat, 101, and Elizee Solange, 85, the two grandmothers were honored Friday March 23 at a rally and luncheon in the Peter Cardella Senior Center on Fresh Pond Road in Ridgewood.
About 375 people, including a throng of reporters and photographers packed the dining room in anticipation of their arrival, and burst into cheers when the two plucky women entered, to the theme from “Rocky.”
Morat, who was still showing bruises from the vicious attack on Sunday, March 4 which broke her cheekbone, entered with the aid of her walker, followed by Solange, who was escorted by Senator Serphin Maltese.
Maltese hosted the event along with Cavaliere Peter Cardella, a founder of the Center bearing his name, which has one of the only programs in Queens for deaf seniors. After receiving a standing ovation and loud cheers, Morat and Solange were presented with Citations from City Councilmember Dennis Gallagher, who praised their courage and determination. Gallagher said, “You are an inspiration to everybody. God bless you.”
The pair also received recognition from the State Senate, and praise from a series of speakers, emceed by the center’s director, Barbara Toscano. The speakers included Maltese, Queens District Attorney Richard A. Brown and Deputy Police Inspector Scott A. Shanley, commander of the 104th Precinct.
Maltese, a former Assistant District Attorney and Deputy Chief of the New York Police Department Homicide Bureau, announced during his remarks that he would introduce a bill in the State Senate to raise the penalty for any assault on an elderly person to a felony, upgrade felony assaults on the elderly and treat such crimes as bias incidents.
That bill passed in the Senate on Tuesday, March 27.
The muggings have garnered national attention prompting outrage that the thief continued to beat the women after they were on the floor and he had their money and wedding rings. Solange was also robbed of a ring bearing the initials “HR” belonging to her late son.
The two women, who met for the first time when they were brought to the event in a white stretch limousine basked in the warmth of the occasion and said they “felt like brides” after the limo ride. They each recounted a bit of their experience. Solange, a Haitian immigrant and former schoolteacher, drew cheers when she told the crowd, “Once he said he was going to kill me, but I’m still alive.” Morat injected, “Alive and kicking” to thunderous laughter and applause.
Morat, who grew up in Ridgewood at a time when most of Queens was still woods and farmland, thanked everyone, especially the police and her apartment building for having the video tape, which may prove decisive in identifying her assailant.
Both women said they forgave their assailant, but wanted him to “go to jail for a long time.”
Investigators urge anyone with information to call 800-577-TIPS (8477).