Woman robbed outside Costa Mesa ATM

A 74-year-old woman was robbed outside an ATM in Costa Mesa and suffered a broken hip during the altercation, authorities said.

The victim was withdrawing money from a Bank of America ATM near the Vons grocery store at 2701 Harbor Blvd. when she was confronted by Simon Yousif, 24, a local transient, around 8:17 p.m. Wednesday, Costa Mesa police Sgt. Dan Miles said.

Yousif is suspected of grabbing her wallet, but as she tried to defend herself, she fell to the ground and suffered a broken hip, Miles said.

The woman was taken to a local hospital for treatment.

Several witnesses at a nearby apartment building told officers that they had seen a suspicious man running toward Orange Coast College, Miles said.

Police followed the tip and found Yousif crouched behind a tree on the south side of Adams Avenue, west of Pinecreek Drive, Costa Mesa police Lt. Greg Scott said.

Yousif allegedly attempted to flee from police, but an officer apprehended him.

Scott said Yousif was in possession of the victim’s money, identification and Social Security card.

Yousif was arrested on suspicion of strong-arm robbery and taken to the Orange County Jail. His bail was set at $50,000.