Woman Fights Off Armed Robber In Queens Apartment Lobby: NYPD

JACKSON HEIGHTS, QUEENS -- An armed robber met his match in the lobby of a Queens apartment complex when he tried to steal a woman's purse at knife-point and she vehemently fought back.

The struggle between the robber and the 39-year-old woman unfolds on video surveillance captured inside the lobby of a Jackson Heights apartment building at around 8 p.m. on Feb. 5.

The man is shown following the woman into the complex near 76 Street and 35 Avenue and grabbing her from behind once the two were inside. Police said he then pulled out a knife and tried to take the woman's purse, but she refused to let go without a fight.

Video shows the woman ducking and weaving away from the knife-wielding man as he followed her through the lobby and tried to rip the purse from her hands.

As the two began a battle of tug-of-war for her purse, the woman managed to pull them both outside to the front of the apartment building, where she screamed for help, police said.

A good samaritan heard her cries and intervened, sending the thief running down 76 Street empty-handed, cops said. The woman was treated for a small cut to her left hand from the scuffle.

Police are still searching for the wannabe purse-napper, who they described as a man in his 50s standing at around 5-foot-8 and weighing about 200 pounds. He was last seen wearing a black and white knit cap, a dark coat, black jeans, white sneakers and a black backpack.

Anyone with information in regards to this incident is asked to call the NYPD's Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477).

Lead photo and video via NYPD.