A 100-year-old widow died yesterday after her neck was broken in a cowardly street mugging while she was on her daily walk to church. Zofija Kaczan was shoved to the ground by an attacker who approached from behind and snatched her green imitation-leather handbag. 5 Zofija Kaczan, who tragically died just one month after celebrating her 100th birthday Credit: PA:Press Association Neighbours were outraged yesterday at the news of her death nine days after the assault, with one saying: “I just hope they catch whoever did it. The vile coward should rot in hell.” Police chiefs have also vowed to catch the person responsible for the “particularly nasty attack that targeted a very vulnerable elderly lady unable to defend herself”. Zofija moved to the UK from Poland with husband Mocoli after World War Two. He had worked for Rolls-Royce in Derby, but died around ten years ago. 5 A man approaches a mystery Seat car after green bag was snatched from Zofija Credit: PA:Press Association Former factory worker Zofija celebrated her 100th birthday last month with a party at her home. She was attacked at around 8.45am on Bank Holiday Monday, May 28 — moments after leaving the semi-detached property in Normanton to head to the St Maksymilian Kolbe Polish Church. A friend found her with blood pouring from a cut on her face. Police said she had suffered multiple injuries including a broken neck. 5 Zofija was walking to the St Maksymilian Kolbe Polish Church in Derby when she was attacked Credit: Caters News Agency She was unable to give officers a description of her attacker. Officers initially said her injuries were not life-threatening. But her condition deteriorated and she died in hospital early yesterday. One neighbour, who asked not to be named, said: “She survived the Second World War and to die in this way just after celebrating her 100th birthday is horrendous. 5 Zofija was just yards from her home in Normanton, Derby, when the incident occurred Credit: Caters News Agency “She was a lovely lady, so friendly and caring.” Another, Malik Mohammed, added: “She was the best woman I have ever met. "She would always talk to neighbours and I would sit outside the front of my house and she would say hello every single time. “I’m so sad and sorry to hear that she has died. I’ve lived here for almost 25 years and to hear this news saddens me greatly. 5 The imitation-leather handbag that Zofija was carrying was later found nearby "She will always be remembered as an amazing woman.” Derbyshire Police confirmed that Zofija had been approached from behind, knocked over and had her handbag stolen. The bag was later found dumped nearby. A 39-year-old man arrested in connection with the mugging has been released under investigation. Detectives have appealed for information and are keen to hear from anyone who saw a beige Seat Leon near the scene. The car was found abandoned two days later. ONLY 10% OF KNIFE RAIDS SOLVED ONLY one in ten knife robberies and less than a quarter of violent crimes involving a blade were solved by London police last year, figures show. Data from the Met showed a slump in the so-called sanction-detection rate since 2015. These are cases ending in a sanction like a charge or caution. Tory London Assembly Police and Crime Committee member Tony Arbour said: “The reason driving more violent crime is the feeling that they’ll get away with it.” Friends fear a large amount of cash may have been stolen from Zofija, who was known as “Mrs K”. Superintendent Tracy Harrison told how the pensioner seemed to be making a recovery in hospital after the attack, but had died after “taking a turn for the worse”. She said: “My heartfelt thoughts go to her friends, the members of her church, and to the community. She was well known in the area. "We are hopeful of bringing the person responsible for this tragedy, this awful crime, to justice. MOST READ IN UK NEWS HEATWAVE Scorching 23C temperatures to hit THIS WEEKEND as rain & wind make way for summer Exclusive THIEF 'COP' Shamed ex-cop stole thousands of pounds from 2 hotels to blow on coke & hookers 'HELP ME!' Mum's screams as baby 'slipped under duvet and died while sleeping with parents' RUFF TIME Why was dog walker Amy Cooper fired from Franklin Templeton? CLAWS SHAVE Lobsters saved from the pot when shopper realises they're among world's rarest Exclusive IT’S HIGH TREESON Dad who spent 3 months building huge kids' treehouse told to demolish it “We have all got elderly relatives, and for this to happen to a lady who reached the grand age of 100, who had a life in the city of Derby, is despicable. "It’s awful, and I will do everything I can to catch the person responsible. “For anyone to target a frail, 100-year-old lady walking to church is despicable and is one of the worst targeted crimes in this respect that I have dealt with.” Neck Break Gran A BURGLAR left an 86-year-old great-gran with a broken neck and back in an attack in her home. Nicholas Mason, 43, is wanted by police over the assault on grandmother-of-18 Veronica Eustace. The thug tricked his way into her house in South Yardley, Birmingham. He dragged the retired care worker upstairs backwards by her ankles before kicking and punching her. But he fled empty-handed when confronted by Veronica’s daughter and her husband who raced to the house to help. Granddaughter Lindsey McDonough, 32, said: “I’m absolutely heartbroken.” GOT a story? RING The Sun on 0207 782 4104 or WHATSAPP on 07423720250 or EMAIL exclusive@the-sun.co.uk<doc-sep>A man has been arrested on suspicion of murdering a 100-year-old woman whose neck was broken in a brutal mugging. Zofija Kaczan died in hospital on Wednesday after suffering multiple injuries including a fractured cheek during the attack in Normanton, Derby. Before passing away, she was able to tell police how she was approached from behind, knocked over and had her handbag stolen at around 8.45am on Monday. A 39-year-old man who was initially detained on suspicion of robbing Mrs Kaczan has been arrested on suspicion of her murder. He remains in police custody and is being questioned. Derbyshire Police is appealing for anyone with information on the incident to come forward. Detective Chief Inspector Darren De’ath previously described the crime as “absolutely horrific”. “Mrs Kaczan was a well-loved member of the community and that she was targeted in this way is disgusting,” he added. The Polish-born woman is reported to have been a widower and former factory worker who moved to the UK with her husband following the Second World War. 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He was 99.<doc-sep>COPS investigating the death of a 100-year-old mugging victim who survived the Nazis have charged a man. Zofija Kaczan suffered a broken neck when a thief grabbed her from behind and knocked her to the ground as she walked to church. 7 Zofija Kaczan, 100, had been on her way to church when her bag was grabbed on May 28 Credit: Sourced The "vulnerable" OAP, who was forced to work for the Nazis during the Second World War, passed away in hospital on Wednesday following the May 28 mugging in Normanton, Derbyshire. Arthur Waszkiewicz has been charged with her manslaughter and robbery, Derbyshire Police said today. The pensioner was left with multiple injuries after the mugging, with her green handbag found abandoned nearby. Friends claimed that the elderly woman may have had up to £1,000 in cash in the bag as she didn't like leaving money at home. 7 The 100-year-old lady's green bag had been stolen from her in the mugging Credit: derbyshire police 7 The 100-year-old had only just celebrated her birthday last month before being attacked Credit: PA:Press Association 7 Police said the crime that claimed the elderly woman's life was 'disgusting' Credit: Stacia Fitzsimmons/Derby Telegraph It comes as more details about her life were revealed, with the elderly woman having moved to the UK from Poland after the Second World War. The devout Catholic had celebrated her 100th birthday with a party at her home. She had lost her husband, Micoli, about a decade ago and the couple had not had any children. 7 The woman had suffered a broken neck and bruising in the attack in Derby 7 Police are appealing for witnesses who may have seen this car with registration plate SL02 KVZ Credit: derbyshire police 7 Police said the bag had been found two days after the robbery, releasing this grainy image of the car Credit: PA:Press Association Derbyshire Police said: "We want to hear from anyone who may have information about the driver of the vehicle – or if you have CCTV or dash cam footage that shows the vehicle with registration plate SL02 KVZ." DCI Darren De’ath, who is leading the investigation, added: “This crime is absolutely horrific. “Mrs Kaczan was a well-loved member of the community and that she was targeted in this way is disgusting. MOST READ IN NEWS 'GOBSMACKED' Queen 'gave Harry OK for Oprah series after misleading pitch about soldiers' ROD LIDDLE Ousting right-on National Trust boss is a victory against wokery DRUMMER DEAD School Of Rock star dies at 32 after being hit by car as Jack Black mourns HOUSE ABOUT IT You won't believe what this ordinary London home looks like on the inside Exclusive TOM'S LEGACY Captain Tom Moore — who raised £39m for charity — left family £73k in will JABS HOPE Scientists 'crack cause of blood clots linked to Covid jabs & know how to fix it' “There are people in Derby who know the person responsible for this crime and I would urge them to come forward with any information that can help bring those responsible to justice. “We have a number of leads that we are pursuing and a post-mortem will take place to determine a cause of death.” If anyone has information, call police on 101 with reference 18*243815 or you can ring Crime Stoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.<doc-sep>
A 100-YEAR-OLD woman has died after suffering a broken neck when she was mugged. Zofija Kaczan had suffered serious injuries when the thief grabbed her from behind - knocking her over to steal the bag as she walked to church. 7 Zofija Kaczan, 100, had been on her way to church when her bag was grabbed on May 28 Credit: Sourced The OAP had suffered a broken neck in the May 28 mugging in Derby, with police confirming she passed away in the early hours of this morning. Ms Kaczan's handbag, which is green and made of fake leather, had been found discarded after the robbery. Friends claimed that the elderly woman may have had up to £1,000 in cash in the bag as she didn't like leaving money at home. A 39-year-old man was yesterday questioned as part of police investigations into the tragedy. He was later released under investigation. 7 The 100-year-old lady's green bag had been stolen from her in the mugging Credit: derbyshire police 7 The 100-year-old had only just celebrated her birthday last month before being attacked Credit: PA:Press Association 7 Police said the crime that claimed the elderly woman's life was 'disgusting' Credit: Stacia Fitzsimmons/Derby Telegraph It comes as more details about Ms Kaczan's life were revealed, with the elderly woman having moved to the UK from Poland after the Second World War. The devout Catholic had celebrated her 100th birthday with a party at her home. She had lost her husband, Micoli, about a decade ago and the couple had not had any children. Police have now launched an investigation into the tragedy. 7 The woman had suffered a broken neck and bruising in the attack in Derby 7 Police are appealing for witnesses who may have seen this car with registration plate SL02 KVZ Credit: derbyshire police 7 Police said the bag had been found two days after the robbery, releasing this grainy image of the car Credit: PA:Press Association DCI Darren De’ath, who is leading the investigation, said: “This crime is absolutely horrific. “Mrs Kaczan was a well-loved member of the community and that she was targeted in this way is disgusting. “There are people in Derby who know the person responsible for this crime and I would urge them to come forward with any information that can help bring those responsible to justice. “We have a number of leads that we are pursuing and a post-mortem will take place to determine a cause of death.” MOST READ IN NEWS 'GOBSMACKED' Queen 'gave Harry OK for Oprah series after misleading pitch about soldiers' ROD LIDDLE Ousting right-on National Trust boss is a victory against wokery DRUMMER DEAD School Of Rock star dies at 32 after being hit by car as Jack Black mourns HOUSE ABOUT IT You won't believe what this ordinary London home looks like on the inside Exclusive TOM'S LEGACY Captain Tom Moore — who raised £39m for charity — left family £73k in will JABS HOPE Scientists 'crack cause of blood clots linked to Covid jabs & know how to fix it' Police said they were particularly keen to hear from anyone who may have seen a beige Seat Leon, which was seen close to where the robbery unfolded. The car was found abandoned two days later on Wednesday, May 30, in a car park in Jackson Street, Stockbrook. If anyone has information, call police on 101 with reference 18*243815 or you can ring Crime Stoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.