Suspect targeted elderly victim's home

Scotia Police say the brutal beating and robbery of an elderly Scotia woman was not a random act.

According to Sergeant Thomas Rush the wife of the suspect, Juan S. McCray, worked in the victim's home as a healthcare worker.

"It wasn't that he just went down the road and hit this house," he said.

McCray was arraigned in Schenectady Court Monday night, less than 24 hours after police say he brutally attacked the woman.

Police say he planned to steal a television and other items from a home on Sunnyside Road in Scotia.

They say he got in through the front door around 9:30 p.m. Sunday, but when confronted the woman he tied her up and threatened her with a steak knife.

Then police say he stole a television, laptop, credit cards--and sped off in the victim's Subaru Forrester.

Police have found some personal paperwork but have not yet located any of the electronic items that they believe McCray stole.

Bill Vititow was walking his dog past the home on Sunday when he heard a car alarm go off.

"Not more than three to five seconds later, I saw a car peel off down the street. i tried to see what it was," he said.

Vititow said police were on the scene within minutes.

Police found the Subaru in Schenectady early Monday morning. McCray was arrested late Monday afternoon and arraigned Monday night. He is being held in Schenectady County Jail without bail.

The woman was seriously hurt and is hospitalized, according to police. Her wheelchair-bound husband was not injured.

Neighbors say it's a safe area not used to violent crime.

Sergeant Rush said residents should use lights with motion detectors and lock all doors.