Elderly woman, 85, left with ‘life-changing injuries’ after Croydon robbery
The pensioner was forced to the ground by a thug who grabbed her handbag
A VULNERABLE 85-year-old is in hospital suffering life-changing injuries after she was forced to the ground and robbed.
The elderly victim was thrown on the floor by the attacker, who snatched her handbag and fled in Croydon on Saturday.
She badly hit her face as she was forced to the ground and desperately tried to hold onto her bag as the suspect grabbed it.
He fled the scene and left the pensioner injured during the sickening attack.
Officers and paramedics raced to scene and the woman was rushed to hospital where she remains with injuries police described as life-changing.
A 16-year-old boy has been arrested in connection with the incident today and remains in custody at a south London police station.
Officers are appealing for witnesses to the robbery and said the suspect is described as a black man who wore a white t-shirt.
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The handbag contained a mobile phone, address book and a diary.
A spokesman for the Metropolitan Police said: "The man is said to have grabbed the handbag containing a mobile phone, an address book and a diary but the victim managed to hold on to her bag.
"The male then grabbed the woman by her wrist and pulled her a short distance into the alleyway.
"Due to the amount of force the victim fell over, hitting her face, and as she laid on the ground injured the male snatched the handbag from her and fled heading in the direction of Lambeth Road.
"A 16-year-old boy was arrested on suspicion of robbery. He currently remains in custody at a south London police station.
"Detectives are continuing to appeal for witnesses and information."
Police are asking anyone who is able to assist the investigation to contact police on 101.
The shocking attack comes just days after a 77-year-old woman was rushed to hospital after she robbed in nearby Crystal Palace.
The pensioner was also shoved to the ground by the attacker, who managed to grab necklaces from around her neck in the sickening robbery.
She suffered a dislocated shoulder and cops are now hunting a tall black man who was wearing a grey hoody following the attack on Friday lunchtime.
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