Police: Suspects attempt to assault elderly woman during home invasion

WEST PHILADELPHIA (WTXF) - Philadelphia police are looking for two suspects who they say assaulted an elderly woman during a home invasion in West Philadelphia.

The incident occurred around 8:30 p.m. Thursday night on the 6000 block of Sansom Street.

According to investigators, two men broke into the 82-year-old victim's home and went upstairs to her bedroom. There, the suspects attempted to touch her inappropriately before running off with some of her belongings.

One of the suspects has been described by police as short and stocky, and the other was slim. Both suspects were wearing white towels on their heads during the incident.

Neighbors later told police they smelled smoke near the woman's property Thursday evening. When police looked into those reports, they found a small fire had been set near the back door of the home. Police say the fire may have been started as a way to gain access to the home.

Investigators are hoping neighbors or nearby surveillance cameras may be able to provide more information about the incident.