UPDATED March 8, 10:45 a.m.
Cops released a video of the getaway car used by a man who knocked out and robbed a 53-year-old woman on a Forest Hills street last week and is connected to two other violent robberies targeting older women in the area.
The footage of the blue sedan, believed to be a Mercury Grand Marquis, was shot from a home on Harrow Street near 71st Avenue, a short distance from where the victim was attacked at 5:45 p.m. on Feb. 28. The car could be seen heading eastbound on Harrow Street.
Police previously released a sketch of the suspect sought for the mugging and two similar attacks in the confines of the 112th Precinct dating back to January.
Regarding the Feb. 28 attack, police said, the suspect was observed exiting from the blue sedan, which had been parked near by, and approaching the woman. He then struck her three times in the head with an unidentified object, causing the victim to lose consciousness.
When she came to, authorities noted, the woman discovered that her handbag — which contained debit and credit cards, as well as $51 in cash — was missing. Police determined that the thief, after knocking the woman out, grabbed her purse and fled the scene inside the blue sedan.
The victim was taken to Forest Hills Hospital for treatment of injuries not considered life-threatening.
During their investigation, detectives determined that the same suspect is connected to the Jan. 18 knifepoint robbery of a 63-year-old woman at the corner of 65th Avenue and 99th Street in Rego Park.
At about 8:20 p.m. that evening, police said, the suspect approached the victim, displayed a knife and punched her in the face. He then took her purse, which contained an iPhone and a credit card, then fled the scene. The woman suffered minor injuries including bruising to her face.
The security camera video below shows the suspect near the scene of the Jan. 18 crime.
Police also linked the suspect to the Feb. 8 robbery of an 82-year-old woman in front of a home on 70th Road near 110th Street in Forest Hills.
At 5:50 p.m., law enforcement sources noted, the suspect approached the victim from behind and hit her in the head with a blunt object, causing her to fall to the ground. He grabbed her purse, which contained two debit cards and a credit card, then fled the scene. The victim was treated at Forest Hills Hospital for lacerations to the back of her head.
Police described the suspect as a black male between 5 foot 8 inches and 6 feet tall with a medium build, who was last seen wearing a dark colored sweatshirt.
Anyone with information regarding the bandit’s whereabouts is urged to call Crime Stoppers at 800-577-TIPS, visit their website, or send a text message to 274637 (CRIMES), then enter TIP577. All calls and messages are kept confidential.
