A man armed with a monkey wrench struck a pair of elderly men over the head during a home invasion in the Olney section of the city Thursday afternoon, according to Philadelphia Police.
The man burst in through the open front door of the home on the 5900 block of 4th Street just before 2 p.m., and demanded money and car keys, police said.
Neighbors say an 80-year-old cancer survivor lives in the home and his 76-year-old friend was visiting. Police say the men refused to give the suspect anything and he attacked.
The man who lives in the house, who asked not to be identified, told NBC10's Chris Cato that he tried to fight back using a mechanical grabber.
During the ensuing scuffle investigators say the robber picked up a tape dispenser and threw it at one of the elderly victims.
Both of the victims were taken bloody and bruised to Einstein Hospital where they remained in stable condition Thursday night.
Police warned that the men could have avoided injury if they cooperated with the armed man.
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"Even though a gun was not seen, it's pretty dangerous to resist, just because you don't want your property taken," said Philadelphia Police Chief Inspector Scott Small.
The suspect took the car keys and ran off down 4th Street. Police described him as being in his 20s, about 5-foot-4 to 5-foot-6 with a black leather jacket and black pants.
Investigators hoped they could lift some fingerprints off the tape dispenser to identify the robber. Police also say they would keep an eye on the victim's car in case the suspect comes back for the vehicle.
Neighbors were fumed that this sort of attack happened on their block, left questioning why.
"They just take on the easiest prey," said neighbor Vickie Tate. "We have to do something with these young people to give them some hope and give them some purpose."
Anyone with info on this attack should contact Philadelphia Police.
