Residents in the Chinatown district of Los Angeles are being urged to surrender to thieves following a brutal robbery of an elderly woman.
The woman was robbed and stabbed multiple times on Sunday in broad daylight, ABC7 reported.
In response, locals are being told to “just let go” of their belongings if they are targeted by criminals.
The woman, believed to be in her 60s, remains in the hospital, according to ABC7.
The apparently targeted attack left the victim with multiple injuries.
Chester Chong, the chairman of the Chinese Chamber of Commerce, said:
“The victim [fell down] on the ground.
“She tried to hold on to her bag,” he added.
Woman robbed, stabbed multiple times in Chinatown; witnesses step in to help https://t.co/7NQCAPjeEu
— ABC7 Eyewitness News (@ABC7) March 26, 2024
Chong told ABC7 that the elderly woman resisted when the suspect tried to steal her purse.
She reportedly had important personal items in the bag.
“Medical cards, ID, everything … she got scared if she lost these documents, she cannot go to the clinic [or] anywhere,” said Chong.
The woman chased after the suspect, ABC7 reported.
Others, including drivers who pulled over, tried to offer help, according to Chong.
“A lot of people were around him and tried to punch him, and then he got his knife out,” witness Emily Giang said.
“That’s why everybody, you know, backed up.”
Another witness claimed that the victim was stabbed “about 12 times.”
Witnesses said that security guards stopped the man before police arrived and detained someone, according to ABC7.
The identity of the suspect has not yet been released.
Giang said the community feels it needs protection because locals are concerned an attack like this could happen again.
“We’re so scared,” she said.
The woman was attacked in an area where many elderly work selling fresh seafood on the street.
Chong is telling locals to be careful and urging them to hand over their belongings to thieves if they are targeted.
He is advising that they “just let go” if a thief attempts to steal their bag.
Chong also warned people not to “bring any important documents.”
Police have not confirmed an arrest, ABC7 reported.
However, authorities said that the incident left two people, the victim and another unspecified person, hospitalized.
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