Family asks public for help after elderly San Jose woman beaten in home invasion robbery
SAN JOSE, Calif. (KGO) -- The Santa Clara County Sheriff's has announced the arrest of 19-year-old Zachary Cuen in connection with Monday's violent home invasion robbery in San Jose's Alum Rock Foothills neighborhood.
The 88-year-old victim, known as Miss Flo, is still in the hospital. But she's already getting justice because cops have caught the person they think put her there.
A community meeting is being held at the community center on Hyland Avenue Thursday night. It comes as Miss Flo remains in critical condition.
It was the crime that left so many in the community stunned.
RELATED: Man arrested in beating of 88-year-old woman in San Jose
"Pure shock that somebody would be able to do this to an elderly person, nevertheless, a neighborhood like this, we've never experienced anything like this," said San Jose resident Laurie Martinez-Baja.
"Our hearts go out to the victim, and we will do all we can, to hold this suspect accountable for his deplorable actions," said Santa Clara County Undersheriff Carl Neusel.
The victim has lived on North Cragmont Avenue since 1964. Friends and family call her a loving woman who didn't deserve to be attacked.
"She's fighting for her very life as she was savagely beaten during this encounter and we just need the public to continue to lift her up in prayer," said her nephew, Michael Wallace.
Cuen is on active probation in Santa Clara County in connection to a previous arrest.
RELATED: Elderly woman beaten hospitalized following San Jose home invasion
Detectives are looking into whether he had an accomplice, and are asking neighbors to turn over any surveillance video.
On Thursday, community members will gather at Saint John Vianney for an emergency meeting.
"I feel a little bit better," said Martinez-Baja. "But I know that our neighborhood is not perfect, and we need to come together as a community to make it better."
In the meantime, Miss Flo's family is relieved over Cuen's arrest but heartbroken about what happened.
"It was my grandmother, it could be yours. It could be your mother. Please, if you have any additional information, call," said the victim's granddaughter Jocelyn.
Anyone with information on the robbery is asked to call the sheriff's office's 24-hour tip line at (408) 808-4431.
Click here for a GoFundMe account that has been set up for Miss Flo.
