Troubling Incidents of Assault in Manhattan
In a disturbing series of attacks in Manhattan, a man pushing a stroller targeted strangers, resulting in a plea deal that could see him facing five years in prison. Sam Mensah, 33, pleaded guilty to assault charges in Manhattan Supreme Court this week after being accused of assaults on at least five women on the Upper East Side in 2023.
Surveillance Images and Arrest
Mensah, who has a history of arrests and has been a focal point in the community for months, was captured in surveillance images pushing a black Bravo stroller. The attacks culminated in his arrest in September 2023 after shoving a 64-year-old grandmother near East 77th Street and Third Avenue, causing her injuries.
Legal Defense and Sentencing
His attorney, Raymond Loewen, was surprised by Mensah’s guilty plea, citing Mensah’s role as an overprotective father. Loewen planned to argue that Mensah acted in self-defense during one of the attacks, where he felt his son was threatened by a 68-year-old man. Despite these claims, Mensah is also accused of assaulting others, including hitting a person with a basket and a 16-year-old girl, as well as spitting at a reporter.
The judge remanded Mensah in custody until September 5 for sentencing, where he faces a potential five-year prison term. The series of assaults, culminating in a plea deal, highlights the need for vigilance and safety measures in urban environments.
