Police say two people were arrested for the home invasion of an elderly woman and have identified one of the suspects as the victim's own grandson.
Police say the grandson drove to his grandmother's home on the 2800 block of Unruh Avenue in Mayfair, around 10:30 a.m. The grandson's friend then allegedly knocked on the door, forced his way inside and threatened to harm the 94-year-old woman with something that looked like a syringe.
"This male pushed her inside, assaulted her by punching her and secured her with duct tape," said Lieutenant Michael Gross.
The man allegedly stole jewelry, valuables and the victim's purse while her grandson waited in the car. The two then fled the scene, according to police.
The victim was taken to Torresdale Hospital where she was treated for facial injuries. Police also say her medical alert necklace was torn off during the attack. She is expected to be released on Monday.
Investigators say the victim's family called police after hearing she was attacked, suspecting that it was her grandson. Detectives say he's borrowed money from her in the past and never paid it back.
Investigators arrested the victim's grandson, identified as Gregory Dobish, 27, along with his friend Christopher Brunkel, 31, at a home on the 3200 block of Tyson Avenue. Police also served a search warrant at that home where they say they found the stolen items. While they were in custody, police say the two men implicated each other in the crime. Both men live in Northeast Philadelphia and have a history of drug arrests, according to police.
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This marks the second incident within a week in which an elderly woman was assaulted and robbed. On February 25, police say an 18-year-old woman punched and robbed an 89-year-old woman as she loaded groceries inside her car at a Wilmington, Delaware supermarket. The woman suffered a bone fracture, according to police.
