A man robbed a 93-year-old East Harlem woman Wednesday by swiping $600 she kept in her bra for safe-keeping.
Wheelchair-bound Maria Vasquez had just cashed her $600 Social Security when she was robbed at a clothing store, reports NBC New York. Vazquez alleged that the man scratched her as he took the cash out of her bra.
“They’re stealing my money! They’re stealing my money!” she reportedly yelled.
Vasquez claimed she saw him watching her and her health aide worker at the bank when they cashed her check. She alleged that he followed them into the clothing store.
Vasquez told NBC New York the money was for food, rent, water and electricity.
“I haven’t paid the rent, the water, the electricity. What am I going to do now?” Vasquez said Thursday, according to reports.
Broyoan Lopez, 26, was arrested and charged with robbery, grand larceny and criminal possession of stolen property.
The store’s owner, Josh Cohen, reimbursed the $600 to Vasquez Friday. He also gave her a pair of the sandals she had planned to buy before the robbery.
“I’m sorry for what happened to you, I hope this makes you feel better,” Cohen told Vasquez.
The mayor of West New York, New Jersey, Felix Roque, also donated money to Vasquez. He reportedly traveled to East Harlem with a check for $1,000 donated by him and his staff.
“You hear stories about people hurting people. This is a story about people helping people, and it feels good,” Roque said to NBC New York.
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