Detectives are asking for the public’s help in finding a suspect who choked an elderly blind woman and stole her gold chain and jade pendant. Authorities have released a video of the incident, available for viewing at www.lapd.org.

“This is shocking to watch, especially when you consider this woman is legally blind,” said Lt. Paul Vernon, commanding officer of the LAPD’s Central Detective Division.  “When you watch the video, you can actually read the crook’s mind as he sizes up his victim and waits for witnesses to walk by.”

The robbery occurred on July 24 on 1st Street, between Los Angeles and San Pedro Streets. The victim, a retired 68-year-old resident of Little Tokyo, was pushing her walker down the sidewalk around noon when a Latino male suspect came up behind and grabbed her around the throat.

“She fights back, but the suspect gets her gold chain and jade pendant, worth about one hundred dollars,” Vernon said.  “If this video doesn’t make you angry, little will.”

The video also shows a bystander from a nearby business coming to the victim’s aid, and the suspect fleeing.

“Street robberies are uncommon in the Little Tokyo area, so this one really stands out, and this suspect really needs to go to jail,” Vernon added.

The suspect was wearing a white shirt, a small backpack, and a baseball cap turned backwards. Anyone with information is urged to call Central Division detectives at (213)972-1251.