Prince George’s County police are seeking four suspects caught on video after a violent attack on a senior citizen last week in Capitol Heights, Maryland.
The woman, who is in her 60s, suffered two broken bones after the assault and attempted carjacking, police said Thursday.
The suspects ripped belongings from the woman’s hands, stole her car keys and then fled without taking her car.
Photos of the suspects appear to show four young men.
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Prince George’s County Police Department Chief Malik Aziz pleaded for help from the public to identify the suspects.
“This is truly a shocking crime, a vicious attack, and it will not be tolerated in Prince George’s County,” Aziz said at a news conference Thursday afternoon.
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News4 briefly spoke with the victim on Thursday. She said she was leaving home to have surgery on her foot.
The victim was getting home from running errands at about 6:40 p.m. Tuesday, March 29 when the four people approached her and demanded her car keys, police said.
Video shows a person in black pants with white stripes up the sides struggling with the victim on the ground and trying to grab something out of her hands. A second person runs over to them and snatches something from the woman as she continues to struggle on the ground.
The two suspects run off as two others stand by.
The woman stumbles, manages to stand and runs away from the four people. She was headed to a neighbor’s house for help, police said.
Then, the person in black and white pants — the first suspect seen on video attacking her — runs after the woman and tackles her to the ground.
County police have seen a rash of carjackings in recent months. Of 54 suspects arrested for the crimes this year, 37 have been juveniles, police said. A police unit created last fall is investigating the crimes and has seen closure rates jump from about 33% to about 50%, police said.
Anyone who recognizes the suspects or has information on the case is asked to contact police. To leave a tip anonymously, call Crime Solvers at 1-866-411-TIPS, visit pgcrimesolvers.com or use the P3 Tips mobile app.
