NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) — An elderly woman was brutally attacked in her Greenwich Village apartment building. The suspect was caught on tape waiting for the moment to strike.

The NYPD released surveillance video Monday of the man they are hoping to catch. The suspect is seen barreling over and robbing an 85-year-old woman — a long time resident of her building.

“It happened so fast that I, of course, you’re lying there and you’re terrified. I don’t know what he was going to do,” victim Yvonne Sherwell told CBS 2’s John Slattery.

1010 WINS’ Sonia Rincon Reports https://newyork.cbslocal.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/14578484/2012/12/elderly-3-rincon-bspadaro.mp3

The attack happened Saturday just before 11 p.m. in a renovated building on West 13th Street, police said. Sherwell came into her locked lobby, where a man was waiting in one of the chairs. While the victim went to her mailbox, the attacker waited and then followed her into an elevator, where he pounced.

“I get into the elevator and he follows me and throws me down and took my purse, the money and credit and, you know, everything,” Sherwell said.

Not only did the attacker take Sherwell’s purse, but he also took the wedding ring from her husband, Chris, who is currently hospitalized due to a massive stroke.

“And of course here is my husband who is dying and he took my ring, my wedding, and I said may I have my wedding ring back? He said no,” Sherwell said.

Watch the surveillance video below:

Sherwell was not hurt, but clearly was an easy target.

“Not so steady on her feet, I don’t think, so it’s really picking on someone who is defenseless,” neighbor Ginny Donnelly said.

“Oh, it’s terrible, terrible. No one should be targeted, especially a woman who’s absolutely defenseless. It’s really bad,” neighbor Alyssa Quinn added.

The man being sought is around 35. He 6-foot to 6-3, 200 to 230 pounds and was wearing a brown sweatshirt and brown winter hat. Neighbors said they suspect the man may have followed a resident into the building.

Anyone with information should call police or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or visit www.nypdcrimestoppers.com.

Please offer your thoughts in the comments section below …