Elderly Vendor's Brutal Attack Caught On Tape

Washington D.C. police and community members are outraged by the brutal beating of an 83-year-old woman that was all caught on surveillance tape. The videotape shows the elderly woman being punched, kicked and stomped during a daylight robbery near the Foggy Bottom Metro stop in Northwest D.C. The man apparently stalked the victim by waiting in the loading dock of her apartment building, attacked her, rifled through her pockets and then calmly walked away.

The videotape shows the man sitting on the curb of the loading dock at 4:23 pm. The woman comes into view a few minutes later, pushing her vending cart. The man approached her from behind, and the two exchange words. On the video, the man appears agitated and puts an index finger to his lips. Then, he rears back and punches the woman in the face. The man then drags the woman and punches her again as she falls to the ground. He quickly goes through her jacket, stealing the profits of her hard day's work. Then, the man kicks her three times in the face and delivers three more swift punches before the elderly woman stops fighting back. After taking an undisclosed amount of cash, the robber walks away.

The woman, who works as a street vendor, selling hats, T-shirts and umbrellas was listed in stable condition with a broken cheekbone and nose. She released a statement thanking everyone for their love and support and stated she wants to get back to selling t-shirts as soon as possible.The man captured on videotape appears to be in his late twenties or early thirties, of medium build, with a backpack slung over his shoulder.

Man Arrested in Beating of Elderly Merchant

Police announced the arrest Sunday, May 7, 2005, of a man wanted in connection with the brutal beating of an elderly woman last week in the Foggy Bottom section of Washington DC.

James Aloysious Dorsey, 46, of no fixed address, was taken into custody about 5:30 p.m. Saturday according to a spokesman with the Metropolitan Police Department. Dorsey is accused of punching and kicking the 83-year-old street vendor, known to friends as "Grandma," during a daylight robbery the previous Tuesday. Authorities said the victim was returning to her apartment building on the 700 block of 24th Street Northwest, near George Washington University.

"Today, on Mother's Day, the prayers of the community have been answered," said Cmdr. Robert J. Contee. "We've got our man."

Police said Dorsey was charged with robbery and was expected to be arraigned Monday. He also has been charged with domestic assault in connection with another attack Tuesday on a woman on Q Street Northwest.

Authorities provided no motives for the attacks.