Four teenage girls were arrested this week for allegedly attacking a 71-year-old woman during a failed robbery attempt inside a Brooklyn subway station on New Year’s Day. The brave senior, who was en route to church, fought back against her assailants, according to law enforcement officials.
The girls, aged 13, 14, and two 15-year-olds, were apprehended on separate days, with each facing charges of robbery, assault, and harassment in connection with the assault on Linda Rosa, 71. Authorities disclosed that one of the 15-year-olds had a previous arrest in September for allegedly assaulting a police officer in Queens to prevent the officer from apprehending someone else.
The incident took place at the Hoyt Street subway station, where one of the girls attempted to snatch Rosa’s purse as soon as she disembarked from a No. 3 train, Rosa recounted in an interview with The Post. Determined to defend herself, Rosa, a retired MTA employee residing in East New York, refused to be a victim of the robbery.
A scuffle ensued as another teen joined in the attempt to take Rosa’s bag, challenging her to fight. During the altercation, one of the girls struck Rosa in the face, causing a cut on her nose. Despite being knocked to the ground and allegedly stomped on, Rosa managed to regain her footing and grabbed hold of two of her attackers by their hair while calling for help.
Following the attack, Rosa was transported to The Brooklyn Hospital Center for medical treatment. She expressed gratitude for not sustaining more serious injuries. Reflecting on the incident, Rosa extended forgiveness towards the teenagers but emphasized the importance of accountability for their actions.
“I forgive them. They do not know what they do,” Rosa remarked. “They don’t know what they did. It’s just teenagers acting foolish. They don’t know the consequences of their actions until this happened, and now they have to pay for it – because we all have to pay for our choices.”
Rosa’s resilience and compassion in the face of adversity serve as a testament to her character and unwavering faith. The harrowing experience she endured serves as a reminder of the impact of impulsive decisions and the necessity of bearing responsibility for one’s choices.
