A heartless mugger punched an 82-year-old stranger in the head — and then ripped off the man’s cane inside a Lower East Side bodega this week, video released by police Thursday shows.
The elderly victim was inside the Big Apple Food Market on Clinton Street near East Broadway around 6:20 a.m. Wednesday, buying a cup of coffee, when a stranger walked up to him and demanded money, police said.
When the victim refused to comply, the suspect raised his fist and threatened to punch the senior and steal his cane if he didn’t fork over any dough, cops said.
The victim still refused — prompting the assailant to punch him in the side of the head and grab his cane — knocking him to the floor, the clip shows.
The mugger was last seen wearing a black jacket, black pants and black sneakers. NYPD
An 82-year-old victim was punched in the head and robbed of his cane after refusing to give a mugger money. NYPDThe attacker ran off, heading east on East Broadway and then south on Clinton Street.
The victim refused medical attention at the scene for a minor head injury.
The suspect has a dark complexion, a partially bald head and appears to be in his 30s, cops said. He was last seen wearing a black jacket, black pants and black sneakers.
Witnesses told police he was known to panhandle at the deli.
