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Cops seek assailant who beat, robbed elderly man in Center City

Philadelphia police are asking for help finding a suspect who beat and robbed an elderly man sitting outside his Center City home.

Police said the man approached the 77-year-old victim, who was sitting in a chair in front of his residence on the 1200 block of Rodman Street, from behind and demanded his wallet at about 2:45 p.m. on July 4.

Surveillance video released today shows the suspect stalking elderly people in the neighborhood, near 13th and Lombard streets, before the attack, according to police.

When the victim said he didn't have a wallet, the attacker struck him in the back with a rock, police said.

The two struggled, and the victim fell to the ground. The suspect rifled through the elderly man's pockets, taking credit cards, identification, $300 and an iPhone, police said.

The assailant then fled on foot and was last seen heading west on Rodman Street, then north on 13th Street.

The suspect is described as black, 50 years old, 5 feet 10 inches tall and having a slender build, gray hair and a beard. He was wearing a white-and-black checkered shirt at the time of the incident.

Anyone with information is asked to call police at 215-686-8477 (TIPS). Tipsters can also send a text message to 773847 (PPDTIP).