BOSTON, Jan. 8, 2014—The Dorchester man accused of striking a disabled man with his own cane was arraigned today after a member of the public helped Transit Police identify him as the assailant, District Attorney Daniel F. Conley said.

MIGUEL VELASQUEZ-MENDOZA (D.O.B. 5/30/93) was arraigned in South Boston District Court on charges of unarmed robbery, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, and assault and battery on a disabled person.  Assistant District Attorney Elizabeth Burke requested that bail be set at $10,000 and that Velasquez-Mendoza’s bail be revoked in an open case out of Concord District Court charging him with larceny over $250.  Judge Tracy-Lee Lyons imposed $1,500 bail and ordered that he undergo mental health evaluation and any treatment deemed necessary, stay away from South Boston, remain drug-free, and undergo random drug screens.  Lyons declined to revoke the defendant’s open bail.

According to prosecutors, a 44-year-old disabled man reported to Transit Police that he was assaulted at the Andrew Station busway at approximately 11:00 p.m. Saturday.  The man informed police that he told a man later identified as Velasquez-Mendoza that he should not sit on a bench because it appeared that there were dead birds on it.  Velasquez-Mendoza responded by forcefully taking the victim’s cane and using it to strike the man in the chest, prosecutors said.  He then took off with the cane.

Transit Police disseminated surveillance images of the suspect and asked for the public’s help in identifying the man.  Yesterday, police received a call from an individual who recognized Velasquez-Mendoza from the clothing he wore in the surveillance images.  The caller informed police that the defendant was working at a location in Watertown.

Upon their arrival at the location, police found Velasquez-Mendoza wearing the same clothing worn during the assault, prosecutors said.  Velasquez-Mendoza allegedly identified himself in surveillance images and made statements admitting to the assault.

Velasquez-Mendoza is represented by Alim Adatia.  He will return to court on Feb. 10.

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All defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.