A quiet Saturday night in Juniata turned into a nightmare for a 91-year-old woman when two masked men casually strolled down her block, doubled back, and hurled rocks through her front windows, sending glass flying and leaving the entire street rattled.
The homeowner, identified by her family as 91-year-old Inez Molina, was inside when the windows exploded. Relatives say she ran into a bedroom for safety and, thankfully, was not physically hurt. The family says this is not the first time the house has been targeted in recent months, and neighbors say the latest attack, caught clearly on camera, has them on edge.
Surveillance Footage Shows Two Masked Men
Surveillance video reviewed by 6abc Philadelphia shows two young men with their faces covered walking past the Molina home, then returning moments later. Each is seen picking up rocks and launching them through the front windows, sending shards of glass into the house where Inez was sitting.
Investigators and the Molina family are asking anyone who recognizes the individuals in the video to contact police so detectives can track them down. Authorities are treating the incident as a crime, and relatives say they want the men held accountable before anyone gets hurt.
Family Calls For Help
Her son, Frank Molina, told 6abc Philadelphia this is the second time in about four months that the house has been hit and that the family has no doubt the incidents are criminal.
“This isn't fun and games. We have to be better,” he said, adding that his mother lives with dementia and heart disease and that her safety is their biggest concern. Inez told reporters she sprinted to her bedroom as soon as she heard the glass shatter and that the ordeal has left her badly shaken.
The family says they are counting on the community to speak up if anyone knows who the masked men are, and they want tips to go straight to investigators, not vigilantes.
How To Report Tips
Anyone who recognizes the people in the footage is urged to call 911 in an emergency, or call or text the Philadelphia Police tip line at 215-686-TIPS (8477). The department also accepts anonymous reports, along with video or photo submissions, through its online form, according to the Philadelphia Police Department.
Why Seniors Are Particularly Vulnerable
Advocates say older adults who live with cognitive issues or serious health problems can be especially vulnerable when targeted by harassment or property crimes.
The National Academy of Medicine estimates that roughly 7.6 to 9.5 percent of older Americans experience abuse or neglect each year and notes that cognitive impairment such as dementia is a known risk factor. That makes community reporting and support particularly critical when incidents like the one at the Molina home occur.
The Molina family says they hope the clear surveillance footage will be enough to jog someone’s memory and encourage them to come forward. Police and relatives are asking that anyone with information reach out to detectives instead of confronting any suspects on their own.
