PHILADELPHIA, Aug. 1, 2012 – Announcing a $5,000 reward, state Sen. Anthony Hardy Williams is calling upon the public to help catch the man who assaulted two seniors in their Catherine Street home on Tuesday.

“There is no way anyone should think that this kind of violence is acceptable, not here or anywhere in the city,” said Williams. “And it’s up to all of us to show that we will not accept this kind of behavior, or harbor anyone who would inflict this kind of harm on our most vulnerable residents.”

Police have named Jimmy Morrison, 41, as the suspect in the assault, battery and home invasion that sent 87-year-old Yvonne Gaines and her son, cited as a disabled Vietnam veteran, to the hospital with severe cuts and bruises.

According to reports, Gaines, who knows Morrison, responded to his knock on her door, when he asked to use the bathroom early Tuesday morning.  Upon forcing his way inside, he attacked both of them, with robbery the chief motive. The assailant left with nothing of value, however.

Gaines, a Democratic committeewoman, also is a former block captain and has been a member of the 5600 block of Catherine Street for more than 40 years.

Police describe Morrison as 5-foot-9, 190 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes.

Williams responded immediately with a reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the assailant.

“Hard economic times are nothing new. People struggling with addiction is nothing new. But to have someone feel as though they can wantonly abuse and rob an elder is a moral failing of epic proportions,” Williams said. “There is no excuse for these actions, and the guilty must be punished to the fullest extent of the law. We must demonstrate who we are as a community, not just here in Cobbs Creek, but across the city.

“We have to say, ‘Enough!’”

Anyone with information on the crime can contact Southwest Detectives at (215) 686-3183 or the citizens Crime Commission at (215) 546-6532.

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