Police search for man accused of attacking 81-year-old woman in East Mount Airy

PHILADELPHIA (WTXF) - Take a good look at this man seen in SEPTA surveillance images. Philly Police say he socked an 81-year-old woman in the face and stole her purse right after she got off the H bus on the 8400 block of Thouron Avenue last month.

It happened on the 8400 block of Thouron Avenue in East Mount Airy. She was out running money orders for her church when it happened.

According to police, the man cased the elderly woman on the bus but got off before her stop. From that point, we're told he got into a car driven by an accomplice who followed the bus until the woman made it to her stop. That's when detectives say he struggled with the woman before punching her and making off with her bag.

"It's predatory. It's alarming. If he could do this to an 81-year-old woman, he's capable of doing anything to anyone," said Philadelphia Police Lt. Dan Brooks.

The woman tells FOX 29 off camera she is doing OK. Police say she suffered minor injuries.