Police are on the hunt for a man and woman who they say forced an elderly woman to withdraw thousands of dollars from her bank account and then stole the money.
The 80-year-old woman told police she was walking towards the Salvation Army on 5th and Market Streets around 12 p.m. on Monday when she was approached by an unidentified woman.
Police say the female suspect told the victim that she had money she wanted to give her. The two women were then joined by an unidentified man who also told the victim he had money for her, according to investigators.
The victim says she became scared and told the man and woman to leave her alone. The suspects allegedly followed her as she tried to walk away.
Police say the female suspect then went inside a green-colored Saturn SUV with a New Mexico license plate and drove it towards the victim. The male suspect then allegedly forced the victim inside the vehicle.
Once she was inside the SUV, both suspects then asked the victim which bank she used, according to police. Investigators say the victim told them she used Citizens Bank and the suspects drove towards the branch at the Penrose Plaza on the 2900 block of Island Avenue.
The victim and the two suspects then went inside the bank and approached an employee, according to police. The victim says she asked the employee to withdraw $8000 from her account.
The male suspect allegedly told the employee that the money was for the victim’s sister who had just passed away.
After the employee brought out the cash, the male suspect allegedly pushed the victim’s hand away, took her money and placed it in his pocket.
Police say the suspects and the victim then left the bank and drove towards the Verizon building at 57th and Chestnut Streets. The male suspect then allegedly pushed the victim out of the car and drove off with the female suspect, fleeing east on Chestnut Street.
Credit: Philadelphia Police
The first suspect is described as a short man between the ages of 40 and 50, wearing a dark-colored hat, dark-colored blazer and a white shirt.
The second suspect is described as a tall woman wearing a dark-colored wig and dressed in dark clothing.
If you have any information on their whereabouts, please call Philadelphia Police.
Photo Credit: Philadelphia Police