by Larry Schwartz, along with his wife Joanna Cuccia, 89, found themselves targeted by a deceptive duo near their apartment on East 23rd Street. What began as an innocuous encounter quickly escalated into a dangerous confrontation, showcasing the couple’s grit and determination.
The Brazen Attempt to Steal a Priceless Rolex
On a Wednesday morning around 11 a.m., Schwartz and Cuccia were making their way toward the senior center when a man, appearing to be in his 40s, struck up a conversation by asking for directions to a Walmart — a ruse that immediately appeared suspicious.
“I said, ‘There are no Walmarts in New York City,’ and then he said, ‘Oh, tell my wife, tell my wife,’” Cuccia recalled.
The man then led Cuccia outside to a gray SUV, where a woman, about 35 years old, posed as his wife. The woman was adorned with flashy chains and bracelets and attempted to engage Cuccia by kissing her hand while inspecting her jewelry.
Meanwhile, Schwartz emerged from the lobby, and the female passenger quickly zeroed in on his Presidential Rolex, a watch he has cherished for over 40 years.
“She dangles this fake Rolex,” Schwartz said. “Before I even held it, I knew it was fake. I knew there was something wrong.”
How an 87-Year-Old Fought Back With Remarkable Strength
Attempting to swap the fake watch for the genuine article, the woman cunningly managed to unlatch Schwartz’s Rolex from his wrist. But Schwartz immediately sprang into action, grabbing her wrist and forcefully slamming her body against the car window.
“I grabbed her wrist and pulled her whole body and smashed it against the side of the open window. She’s screaming. And just for good measure, I gave her arm a three-quarter twist,” Schwartz said.
Despite her relentless grip on the watch, Schwartz didn’t relent, managing to bend her arm further and bang her against the inside of the car as she screamed out in pain. During this struggle, the male accomplice attempted to distract Cuccia by waving cash and inviting her to pick any bills she wanted.
Staying calm, Cuccia refused the bizarre offer, while Schwartz continued his fight to retain possession of his irreplaceable Rolex before the criminals escaped in a silver Jeep Compass.
The Wider Crime Context and Community Concerns
This alarming incident reflects a broader trend in the neighborhood, with robberies and grand larcenies on the rise within the 13th Precinct, covering Gramercy Park and surrounding areas.
- Robberies have increased by approximately 19% in 2025 compared to the previous year, with 124 incidents reported as of early September.
- Grand larcenies have jumped by about 21%, totaling 192 cases so far this year.
Cuccia described her shock after the encounter: “I’ve lived in New York all my life… I’ve never been involved in anything like this. I’ve always been on the street, but I’ve never been gray-haired before and I feel more vulnerable than ever.”
Schwartz himself expressed doubt that many others would have the ability to resist such criminals. “I’m a physical person. I’m not bashful… But I doubt that the general citizenry would be in any condition, shape, or skill to take them on,”
he said. Adding to the concern is the perceived brazenness of the thieves and the skepticism surrounding their chances of being caught permanently.
Learn more about this incident and related crime trends in Gramercy Park from the detailed report by the New York Post.
The Courage and Resilience of Older Adults Under Threat
This incident shines a light on the courage that older adults can display in the face of danger and the growing need for community vigilance, especially amid rising urban crime rates. It also highlights the importance of safety awareness for seniors, who may feel increasingly vulnerable in rapidly changing city environments.
Key takeaways from the episode include:
- The effectiveness of quick reflexes and determination, regardless of age.
- The importance of community and law enforcement awareness as crime trends shift.
- The emotional impact and vulnerability that senior citizens may feel when targeted by criminals.
Schwartz’s fearless response serves as an inspiring reminder that resilience and physical readiness can be critical when confronted with threats — even in the most unexpected situations.
