Suspect Accused Of 'Repeatedly Punching An 81-Year-Old Woman' In Bridgeport: Police

BRIDGEPORT, CT — A 42-year-old homeless man was arrested on a warrant this week by Bridgeport police in connection with a September attack on an 81-year-old woman, who police said the man repeatedly punched in the face and body during the assault.

Samuel Bryant was charged with second-degree assault on an elderly person and first-degree reckless endangerment.

The victim suffered injuries to her face and arms during the attack, according to police.

Bryant was arrested Thursday, when Bridgeport police were called about "a suspicious person squatting in a vacant East End residence."

The assault occurred on Sept. 16 near the intersection of Barnum and Central avenues, as the woman was on her way home from a church meeting, according to police.

"The victim told police she had driven by a man and woman standing in the street near that intersection," wrote Det. Jeffrey Holtz in a statement. "She said she heard the woman scream when she drove by them. The victim said that she did not believe she struck the woman but pulled over to make sure. She said the man suddenly opened her driver's side door and began punching her in the face and body, causing her eyeglasses and her hearing aids to fall off. The victim said the man and the woman then ran away east on Barnum Ave. She said she did not know why the man attacked her. The victim said the woman had been pleading with the man to stop the assault."

A month later, Bridgeport police were able to identify the two, and obtain a warrant for Bryant's arrest. The woman who accompanied him was not charged.

Bryant was held in lieu of bail of $20,000, and he was scheduled to appear in Bridgeport Superior Court on Friday.

Anyone with additional information about the case is asked to contact Det. Angel Llanos at 203-581-5238.