‘Gave her arm a three-quarter twist’

An 87-year-old man recently displayed remarkable bravery when he fought off two would-be thieves who attempted to steal his $48,000 Rolex watch outside a senior center in Gramercy Park. Larry Schwartz and his 89-year-old wife, Joanna Cuccia, were on their way to the Stein Senior Center when they encountered a male suspect who engaged them in conversation, asking for directions to a Walmart. The man then led Cuccia outside to meet a woman in a gray SUV, who started showing off expensive jewelry in an attempt to distract them.

Cuccia quickly realized something was amiss when the woman began focusing on her jewelry and watch. Meanwhile, Schwartz, who had been inside the lobby, came out to see what was happening. The female suspect then targeted Schwartz’s Rolex watch, offering him a fake one in exchange. Schwartz immediately knew it was a scam and resisted, but the woman managed to grab his wrist and attempt to snatch the watch.

In a bold move, Schwartz grabbed the woman’s wrist and pushed her against the car window, causing her to scream. He then twisted her arm and managed to retrieve his watch. The male suspect, seeing that their plan was failing, tried to bribe Cuccia with a wad of bills, but she refused. Eventually, the suspects fled the scene in their vehicle, leaving Schwartz with minor injuries.

Despite his age, Schwartz’s quick thinking and physical strength enabled him to fend off the attackers. He credited his active lifestyle, which includes weightlifting and running, for his ability to react swiftly in the situation. He expressed doubt that the perpetrators would be apprehended, noting their brazenness and lack of fear of consequences.

Cuccia, a lifelong New Yorker, described the incident as shocking and highlighted the vulnerability she now feels as an elderly person in the city. The rise in robberies and grand larcenies in the area where the incident occurred is concerning, with statistics showing an increase compared to the previous year. The couple’s ordeal serves as a reminder of the importance of vigilance and caution in the face of potential threats in urban environments.