Manhattan District Attorney Alvin L. Bragg Jr. today announced the indictment ANTHONY MELENDEZ, 38, for allegedly punching a 77-year-old woman in an unprovoked attack on the Upper West Side. MELENDEZ is charged in a New York State Supreme Court indictment with one count each of Assault in the Second Degree and Assault in the Third Degree [1]. 

“Anthony Melendez allegedly attacked a 77-year-old woman who was walking home from the grocery store in an unprovoked daylight attack,” said District Attorney Bragg. “Manhattanites deserve to feel safe on the streets of New York, and those who jeopardize their safety will be held accountable. I hope the victim continues to heal from this horrific assault.” 

According to court documents and statements made on the record, on September 13, 2024, at approximately 2:05 p.m., a 77-year-old woman was walking home from the grocery store while pushing her shopping cart on West 72nd Street and Columbus Ave. MELENDEZ was walking in the opposite direction while carrying a large plastic bag and pulling a rolling suitcase. 

When MELENDEZ was next to the woman, he punched her, unprovoked, in the head. The punch was so forceful that it knocked the victim’s glasses off her face and onto the street. An eyewitness picked up her glasses and walked her home. 

On September 19, MELENDEZ was apprehended with the same suitcase from the attack. 

Assistant D.A. Katelyn Damanis (Trial Bureau 60) is handling the prosecution of this case under the supervision of Assistant D.A. Charles Whitt (Bureau Chief of Trial Bureau 60) and Executive Assistant D.A. Lisa DelPizzo (Chief of the Trial Division). 

D.A. Bragg thanked the NYPD, particularly Detective Nicholas Caniglia of the 20th Precinct Detective Squad. 

Defendant Information: 

ANTHONY MELENDEZ 

Brooklyn, NY 

Charged:

• Assault in the Second Degree, a class D felony, one count
• Assault in the Third Degree, a class A misdemeanor, one count 

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[1] The charges contained in the indictment are merely allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. All factual recitations are derived from documents filed in court and statements made on the record in court.