It is hard to think that anything can shake the hardened New Yorkers, but it seems as if petty theft has done the trick. The crime happened with the mugging of a 101 year old woman by a nameless mugger in Queens, New York.

The woman, Rose Morat, was on her way to church on March 4, when a homeless man approached her in the vestibule of her apartment complex. He offered to help, but she declined. He than began to pummel her face three times, before grabbing her purse. The homeless man stole approximately $33.

Interestingly Rose Morat was not mentally shaken, according to the New York Post, Morat has been quoted as saying, “Fifteen years ago, we would have had a tussle.” Strong words, considering the degree of injury she received: a fractured cheekbone and three days in the hospital. Jerry Zhuo, a Sophomore, at Beckman stated; "If it was my grandma, I would tackle the guy." The public was equally stirred about the event. The ordeal was a traumatizing event for anyone, let alone a woman of a 101, yet Morat remained composed and optimistic.

Beckman Senior, Jeff Yu responded to the event, "He [the mugger] must have been very desperate [...] How much money could an old lady carry." His sentiments were shared by other students on campus. Josh Cumbee, a Junior was surprised at the news. "Its kind of [strange] that the mugger had to choose someone over a hundred." The age of the woman was the most controversial part of the crime, according to many.

Morat was not the mugger’s first victim, an 85 year old woman named Solange Elizee was also attacked in a similar manner. She was offered help and then assaulted by the homeless man; she lost two rings including her wedding band. According to MSNBC.com, Elizee reported that the man mentioned he “like[s] to help old people” before he assaulted her.

The man in question is still at large, but efforts have been made to capture him. The attack has whipped New York into a frenzy, and a veritable “homeless man-hunt” has been instigated. According to MSNBC.com, Police Commissioner Ray Kelly said “We are pulling out all the stops.” The “stops” referring to wanted posters, a tip hotline, a reward, and constant posting of the surveillance video. According to CNN.com, lawmakers have even gone as far as to propose making the assault of any persons over 70 years old a felony.

The video can be viewed here

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qx-4qesY1D4