Suspect in Glenwood Village beating being held on $100K bail

A homeless woman accused of robbing and viciously beating an 84-year-old man in his Riverhead mobile home pleaded not guilty at her arraignment Friday in Suffolk County Criminal Court in Riverside, prosecutors said.

Julia Townsend, 38, allegedly forced her way into the victim’s home at the Glenwood Village community about 3 p.m. on New Years Day and beat him unconscious, authorities said. When he awoke a few hours later, he found a large amount of cash and jewelry missing. He was treated by responding Riverhead ambulance workers and then transported to Peconic Bay Medical Center.

She was charged with first-degree burglary, second-degree robbery and second-degree assault and is being held at the county jail in Riverside in lieu of $100,000 cash or $200,000 bond.