A Center City chef walking home Friday night says she was an easy target for a robber who may have wanted more from her than just material things.
"I was walking home my normal route, had my headphones in as always -- I know that's dangerous," said Monica Glass.
Glass was walking to her Bella Vista home just before 2 in the morning when she says she felt a tap on her right shoulder as she was unlocking the front door.
"So I turned around and a man punched me in the face on my cheek and then threw me on the ground," Glass said.
Glass says she used all of her strength and everything she's learned in her kickboxing classes to fight back.
"I just kept kicking him and screaming and kicking him and… I remember there was one instance when he paused and I thought that he was going to take out a weapon."
Instead, she says the man grabbed her roommate's gym bag, which was near the doorway, and took off.
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Glass called police.
"He could have wanted to rape me, I don't know," she said.
Luckily Glass wasn't seriously hurt during the attack and was soon back to work.
She decided to tell her story because she is afraid that her alleged attacker could strike again.
"He's still out there and who knows who he can harm next."
Police say they don't have much to go on except for the gym bag that the bad guy took and dumped nearby. Police will dust it for fingerprints, they said.
Glass says she was only able to give police a vague description of her attacker.
She is still shaken up and says she has changed what used to be her "normal" routine.
"No one is letting me walk home alone... I have amazing friends and everyone's coming to pick me up or walk with me."
She also has a message for anyone letting their guard down walking alone in the city late at night.
"I was caught up in my music and texting one of my friends, which are big nos. Even though you might feel invincible, you're not."
