Ginny Patton, like so many people who live in Rittenhouse Square, walks everywhere and doesn’t think anything of it.
“It’s a pleasant place to be. It's not the kind of place where you're overly cautious, Patton told NBC10.
But as she walked along the 2300 block of Manning Street -- a tiny alley a few blocks from the Square -- on Wednesday around 6 p.m. a man who appears to be in his 20s rode up quickly behind her, jumped off his bike, grabbed her by the back of the neck and spun her around causing Patton to hurt her knee.
“I didn't notice him at all until I felt his hand on my neck,” said Patton.
The entire incident was captured on surveillance video. NBC10 showed Patton video of the incident for the first time of the man wearing a green shirt, biking behind her and ripping the purse off her shoulder.
“I was angry…I was angry from the beginning,” Patton said.
Patton began to scream, according to police. The suspect told her to “shut up, shut up” before ripping her purse off her shoulder, jumping back on his bike and swiftly riding away down Manning Street, according to police.
Patton walked to her home and called 911. She told police that she had $65 in cash, her driver’s license, credit cards and a pre-paid cell phone in her purse.
Police say 15 robberies have taken place in one of Philadelphia’s most upscale neighborhoods in the last month including a SEPTA bus rider whose jewelry was grabbed, a woman whose dog was stolen and a more than a dozen bikes were stolen after a charity ride.
Patton says she plans to make minor adjustments after her unfortunate attack.
“I’ll probably buy some pepper spray now (but) oh yeah I'll still be walking," she said.
Anyone who recognizes the thief or has more information on this incident is asked to contact Philadelphia Police at Dets. Gallagher or Guercio at 215-686-3093/94.
