Bernice Starnes, 86, loves to spend time outside her apartment building in New York, saying hello from her wheelchair as people pass by.
Recently, Bernice was enjoying her day until a woman came up to her, said "Good morning" and then quickly snatched her purse and ran away.
Back in her day, Bernice was a star track runner. The strong athlete inside of her wanting nothing more than to jump out of her wheelchair and chase the woman down — but when she tried to get up, she realized she was too exhausted.
Bernice needed her bag because her money and bank card were inside. You can imagine how helpless and furious she felt. It takes a special type of cruel person to steal from someone who simply cannot defend herself.
Not only did the police department quickly track down the coldhearted thief, but they also decided to show up to one of Bernice's interviews with an incredible surprise…
86-year-old Bernice Starnes may be in a wheelchair, but that doesn't stop her from getting outside and enjoying her day. She can often be found sitting outside her apartment building in The Bronx, New York and conversing with the people who walk by.
Recently, Bernice was sitting outside in her wheelchair like she normally does when a woman — who she had never seen or met before — approached her. The woman said "Good morning," to which Bernice replied, "Oh, it is a good morning!"
That's when the woman revealed her true colors. She quickly grabbed Bernice's handbag and ran off with it.
Bernice's bag held her money and bank card.
The robbery was caught on surveillance camera, which helped police ultimately track down the thief.
Bernice, a former high school track star, tried to get up out of her wheelchair to chase the woman down, but was too tired after lifting herself out of her wheelchair.
Authorities released a photo of the alleged robber, 37-year-old Adrienne Terry, in the hopes the public could help track her down.
Later that day, Terry was arrested and charged with grand larceny.
Bernice's story went viral and the community rallied behind her. Before she knew it, she was being interviewed on camera by multiple news outlets.
In the video below, Bernice bursts into tears and describes how helpless she felt in that moment, and how her old age prevented her from following her instincts. She admitted how frustrating it was not being able to defend herself. "I wanted to catch her and beat the sh*t out of her."
But Bernice proves that while she may not be as physically capable as she once was, she still has her fierce wits about her.
"You need to get a J-O-B like I had to," she said during an interview with NBC 4 New York.
But Bernice's story has quite the happy ending. Police officers in her community were so moved by her story that they pooled their own money together and gave back what was stolen from her.
Bernice was reduced to tears — but this time, they were happy tears.
Bernice says she plans to attend Terry's arraignment.
She looks forward to staring her thief in the face and showing her she messed with the wrong woman.
Thankfully, justice has been served. Please SHARE Bernice's story with your friends on Facebook!
