Woman, 90, is robbed of $10, treasured scarf

A 90-year-old Upper West Side woman targeted by a ruthless thief told the Daily News the crook got a purse containing only a few bucks — and a scarf honoring her late husband.

“I can buy a new purse,” Reiko Barten said, adding that the bag had $10 in cash and a handful of credit cards, which she’s cancelled. “The scarf was sentimental”

The pink-and-violet scarf was crocheted by a beloved niece after her husband, Michael Barten, died,

“I knew she liked to crochet, and old people are always cold!” joked Barten.

Barten, sporting a pink housecoat, was walking through a courtyard on W. 64th St. — just paces from Central Park — about 6:45 p.m. on May 10 when the thief crept up behind her, cops said.

The brown leather handbag was a special edition Metropolitan Opera purse with a one-ofa-kind engraving on it, Barten said.

Her husband played viola at the opera in the 1980s. The two met at Lincoln Center, the plucky nonagenarian recalled. “I’m doing fine!” Barten told The News when reached Wednesday, showing more concern for the crook who swiped her bag. “He could be my grandson!

“I hope he finds a job so he doesn’t have to steal,” she said.

Surveillance video recovered by police shows the crook grab the brown handbag from the seat of Barten’s walker and run off (photo).

Stunned, Barten turns around and gives chase, but the thief is already long gone.

A second video recovered by police shows the thief, sporting a baseball hat, hooded sweatshirt and a surgical mask, place the brown handbag into a larger black one.

Barten wasn’t harmed during the theft. No arrests have been made.

Barten isn’t going to let the mugging affect her day-to-day routine, but plans to be more vigilant when she’s running errands.

“Older people have to be careful on the street,” she said. “Especially those with walkers. We are easy targets.”

Police released the surveillance images in the hopes someone recognizes the thief.

Anyone with information regarding this incident was urged to call NYPD Crime Stoppers at (800) 577-TIPS. All calls will be kept confidential.