Police: 93-year-old woman assaulted during robbery

NEW BEDFORD, Mass. (WHDH) -- Two women were arrested after police say they knocked a 93-year-old woman to the ground during a robbery.

Police say the elderly woman was mugged while waiting for a bus at a New Bedford intersection.

“It’s very sad, it’s appalling, it’s just a shame that somebody would have to stoop to attacking a 93-year-old defenseless lady,” said Reverend Conrad Salach, the victim’s pastor.

Police say the two women, Julia Gibb and Juliana Souza, sat on the front porch of a home on Ashley Boulevard and targeted the well-liked, church-going woman as she waited for the bus.

“It was pretty shocking to find out that she was involved with that,” said Caridad Berben, a neighbor.

Caridad Berben lives next door to Julia Gibb.

“You don't do that to an old person. You going to target someone old, target someone your own age,” Berben said.

Police say Souza lurked behind the victim, pulled her pocketbook from her, and violently knocked her to the ground leaving the 93-old-with a lump on her head and bruised all over.

“There was a second-hand furniture store across the street and they brought a rocking chair over so she was sitting in the rocker somewhat comfortable, bruised and so forth,” Rev. Salach said.

Not long after the attack, both women were found hiding in the back of Gibbs’ home. They were arrested for unarmed robbery.

The victim attends Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church and is well-known throughout the community.

“She’s at mass every week. She’s very involved in our activities. She takes care of Grandma's Attic for example at our summer festival…she’s just very active. Very lovely lady,” Rev. Salach said.

The woman remains in the hospital but Rev. Salach says she is out of the ICU.