ITHACA, N.Y. — On Easter Sunday, a woman was walking to church near West Seneca Street. On her way, a man came up behind her and tried to grab her purse.

"She was attacked from behind. Somebody ran past her, tried to grab the purse off of her shoulder," said Jamie Williamson of the Ithaca Police. "He was unsuccessful, so he turned around, shoved her to the ground."

After a brief scuffle, the suspect pushed the 71-year-old down and ran off.

It was a random act that happened similarly a couple blocks away last year. It was the same day, but on South Geneva Street. That time, the victim was an 88-year-old woman.

"They're so infrequent that if it does happen," Williamson said. "Generally, it's happenstance."

Williamson recommends, if possible, that people walk in pairs and make sure they have a means of communication. He says, like the victim, you have the right to fight back, but keep safety in mind.

"If your life is in danger, though, absolutely fight back," he said. "There's no such thing as anything that's out of bounds or an unfair fight when you're fighting for your life."

Anyone with information should call Ithaca police at 607-272-3245.