A man is wanted for violently robbing an elderly woman for her purse in Rego Park. NY1's Clodagh McGowan has the story in this Crime Stoppers report.

It's just before noon. A 73 year-old woman is walking to visit a friend at her Rego Park apartment building. She is unaware of a man following her, watching as she enters the lobby. 

"He waits for the exact moment that she buzzes her friend and gets buzzed in," said NYPD Detective Anthony Fallacaro. "As soon as she opens up the door, he runs in, grabs her purse."

Dragging her to the floor in the process, before he flees the building with her purse. 

Detective Fallacaro is heading the investigation for the 112th Precinct Detective Squad. 

He says it appears the suspect is targeting elderly women in the area. He was caught on surveillance video stalking another woman just minutes before he robbed the 73-year-old last Monday. 

"He seems to be detered when he walks by her and there's another van parked by a fire hydrant that had a bunch of people in it. He then loses her and goes for somebody else," Fallacaro said.

The suspect is wearing a long camel-colored overcoat, with a black hooded sweatshirt underneath - an outfit Detective Fallacaro says stands out. 

"We think we could possibly get an ID based off of that overcoat. 'Cause that's not something he's going to throw away after this crime," Fallacaro said.

The victim declined to talk to NY1 the incident on camera. Detective Fallacaro says her injuries are minor but she's still shaken up.

"Robbery is a vicious crime and anything with the elderly people is very dangerous. It could have been a lot worse than it was, she could have been seriously hurt," Fallacaro said.

Anyone with information for police is asked to call crime stoppers at 1-800-577-8477. All calls are anonymous and there is a cash reward for information leading to an arrest and indictment.