An elderly man is fighting for life after being robbed outside a Post Office in north London.
The 87-year-old was attacked on High Street, Ponders End at about 11am last Thursday.
Officers found him with head injuries.
He was taken to hospital by the London Ambulance Service where he remains in a life-threatening condition.
According to staff, the store’s CCTV caught the moment the pensioner withdrew money from a cashpoint machine and was ambushed by an offender.
He then collapsed to the ground.
One worker told the Standard: “I heard a scream coming from outside when I was behind the counter.
“By the time I went into the road, there was an old man on the floor.
“We later saw the CCTV footage and realised what had happened.
“A guy was standing next to him. When the old man took the money from the ATM, he just grabbed it and the old man fell.
“Because of his age, he couldn’t stand properly. The guy then ran off.”
He said the incident was “horrible and tragic” and the victim had been “well known in the community”.
“A fall like that would cause significant damage,” the staff member added.
The Metropolitan Police have launched an investigation.
A spokeswoman said Jaesis Boatswain, 40, of Swan Walk, Enfield, appeared at Highbury Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, charged with grievous bodily harm without intent, assault, robbery and threatening a person with a sharp object in public.
Boatswain was remanded into custody to reappear before Wood Green Crown Court on December 10.
Enfield North MP Feryal Clark appealed for information on Facebook, saying she was “deeply concerned”.
She added: “Police attended the scene and the victim was taken to hospital.
“Sadly, his condition has since worsened and is described as life-threatening.
“My thoughts are with the victim and his loved ones.
“If you were in Enfield Town that morning, or have an information or footage that could assist the investigation, please contact police on 101.”
One user replied: “The victim is my relative. He’s in a critical state. Hope this person is caught and justice is done.”
Another person described it as “awful”, adding that the area was “a death threat zone”.
He said: “It breaks my heart to see Enfield has become a [hotspot] for crime.
“Wishing the man a speedy recovery. He must be terrified.”
