Police say that a 94-year-old Mayfair woman’s own grandson was one of two men who took part in a brutal home invasion robbery on Sunday morning that resulted in the victim’s hospitalization for treatment of cuts and bruises.
The attack occurred at about 10 a.m. on the 2800 block of Unruh Ave. Lt. Michael Gross of Northeast Detectives reported that the victim heard a knock at her front door and mistook the visitor for her grandson, so she opened the door.
Once inside, 31-year-old Christopher Brunkel, address unknown, demanded cash and jewelry, pushed the woman, slapped her face and punched her eye, Gross said. He allegedly forced her onto a couch, put duct tape on her mouth and wrists and threatened her with a syringe.
The intruder grabbed some jewelry and fled to a waiting car. Police believe that the victim’s grandson, Gregory Drobish, 27, of the 3200 block of Tyson Ave., was behind the wheel of the getaway car.
During the assault, Gross said, the woman’s medical alert device was ripped from her neck, triggering an automated 911 call at 10:05 a.m. Emergency responders took the woman to Aria Health-Torresdale, where she was admitted in stable condition.
Based on the victim’s initial suspicion that her grandson was involved in the crime, police went to his house soon after the robbery. Drobish and Brunkel were both there. During a search of the property, police allegedly found the victim’s purse and jewelry, which turned out to be costume pieces. little.
Drobish and Brunkel were charged with robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, unlawful restraint, conspiracy and related offenses. They remain in jail, each in lieu of $1 million bail, and are scheduled for a preliminary hearing on March 21. ••
