Sen. Mikulski Injures Her Hand While Fighting Off Mugger

Sen. Barbara A. Mikulski (D-Md.) was mugged outside her home and dislocated her hand while defending herself, her Senate office here reported Monday.

Mikulski had parked her car about 11:45 p.m. Sunday and was heading to her house when she was approached by a man in a blue sweat suit. He knocked her down, stole her purse and fled, police officer Robert Weinhold said.

“He pushed her to take the purse. She pushed him back” and fell to the ground, said Rachel Kunzler, a spokeswoman for the senator.

Mikulski, 59, was treated for a dislocated hand at Mercy Medical Center and released, her office said. She canceled one of her three appointments Monday to get follow-up treatment at Union Memorial Hand Clinic.

“She’s feeling much better,” Kunzler said.

The senator has lived all her life in the Fells Point area, a well-known tourist destination along Baltimore’s waterfront. A statement released by her office said she “shares the pain and anger that other victims of this type of crime feel.”

Police said the purse was recovered a block away. About $40 in cash and an undetermined amount in traveler’s checks were missing.

No arrest had been made as of Monday afternoon.