San Jose

San Jose Woman, 88, Badly Beaten at Home, Then Robbed

Friends say Flo's condition is worsening

An 88-year-old San Jose woman is undergoing intensive care at a hospital after being viciously beaten during a home invasion robbery Monday night, officials said.

Santa Clara County Sheriff's deputies were called out to a residence on the 200 block of North Cragmont Avenue in East San Jose around 8 p.m. The elderly woman, known to neighbors as Flo, lives in the house alone, but is popular in the community, neighbors said.

Friends told NBC Bay Area on Tuesday that Flo's condition is deteriorating.

Deputies said that the suspect or suspects snatched jewelry from Flo, ransacked her home and stole her car from the garage. The victim was taken to an area hospital with severe facial and head trauma, they said.

"Oh, it was horrible, really horrible," neighbor Rita King said. "She didn't deserve this. She's a sweet person."

Deputies believe the suspects entered the house and attacked Flo, and then left. They robbed the residence upon their return a few hours later, they said.

"She remembers being assaulted and there being a time when they were gone," Sheriff's spokesman Richard Glennon said. "They came back to ransack her house. They also stole jewelry from her person."

Flo told investigators that she was beaten by two men, who broke into her house through a side door.

"I definitely think she was targeted," neighbor Chris Dilley said.

Investigators say the assailants also stole Flo car, crashing through the gate and fence in front of the residence. They ditched the vehicle down the street, where a neighbor noticed the windows and sunroof were open. 

"My daughter went over and kind of checked around it, and saw it was ransacked, and her medical ID card was on the floor," said neighbor Phyllis Silva. 

The woman went to Flo's house and found her beaten and nearly unconscious. The family called 911 and has been checking on Flo ever since. 

Upon returning from the hospital on Tuesday, Silva said, "It's not looking good right now. It's not looking good. Just say prayers."

Investigators, who entered Flo's house wearing breathing masks, were searching for answers and collecting evidence all of Tuesday. They are also reviewing surveillance footage from other houses in the neighborhood.

People with information have been asked to call the Sheriff’s Office at 408-808-4431.

NBC Bay Area's Rhea Mahbubani contributed to this report.

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