Miami police arrest man accused of beating elderly neighbor at Shenandoah bus stop

MIAMI — Miami police arrested a suspect Monday morning after he allegedly assaulted his elderly neighbor at a bus stop in Shenandoah, leaving the victim hospitalized, authorities confirmed Tuesday.

Yendry Sanchez, 45, is charged with aggravated battery to a person 65 years of age or older, according to an MPD arrest report.

The incident occurred around 10 a.m. near the 900 block of Southwest 22nd Avenue, where police and first responders found the elderly victim apparently injured and in distress.

Miami police said officers were initially dispatched to the scene following a 911 call reporting an assault on an elderly man.

Authorities said Miami Fire Rescue personnel were already on scene and treating the victim when they arrived.

According to Sanchez’s arrest report, the victim had two lacerations to his forehead and a deep cut to his swollen lower lip. Fire Rescue later transported him to HCA Florida Mercy Hospital for further treatment.

An initial witness to the attack told officers he was driving south on Southwest 22nd Avenue when he noticed Sanchez repeatedly punching and kicking a defenseless elderly man who was sitting on a bench at a bus stop, the report said.

Police said that while trying to stop the attack, a witness got out of the car and yelled at Sanchez, who immediately fled on foot south toward Southwest Ninth Street.

Authorities said after Sanchez fled, a witness called 911 and provided police with a description of the suspect.

While officers were gathering more information, Miami police discovered surveillance footage from a nearby business.

Detectives said surveillance footage showed an elderly man walking up to the bus stop and sitting down. Just moments later, Sanchez appeared on the screen following the victim, investigators said.

Without provocation or warning, Sanchez swung his right arm and punched the victim in the head, police said. Video footage still shows Sanchez delivering a second punch to the victim’s face, causing him to collapse forward onto the bench, authorities said.

The attack escalated after Sanchez kicked the elderly man in the head before leaving the area on foot, according to the report. Police said Sanchez, who was wearing black sunglasses, a black T-shirt, black shorts and black sneakers with white soles at the time of the incident, was clearly identified on surveillance footage.

Police said while conducting surveillance in a nearby parking lot, they spotted Sanchez walking west toward his apartment building near the 2200 block of Southwest Ninth Street.

Authorities confirmed he was still wearing the same clothes he was seen in the surveillance video. Officers said they quickly detained Sanchez before he could enter the apartment complex.

After reviewing Sanchez’s Miranda rights in English, police noted that Sanchez had waived his rights and agreed to give a statement, although details of his statement were redacted in the released report.

During a subsequent interview with the elderly victim at the hospital, the man described a disturbing encounter with Sanchez earlier that morning.

He said that while leaving the apartment building they shared, Sanchez became agitated when he was unable to enter the building, the report said.

The victim reported that Sanchez was kicking the door and yelling at him, but decided to ignore the explosion and continued on his way. The last thing he remembers is sitting at a bus stop and being unexpectedly run over by Sanchez, authorities confirmed.

Police have not released any information about the victim’s age or condition.

Jail records show Sanchez is being held at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center, where his bond was listed as “pending” as of Tuesday afternoon.

Local 10 News has requested video of the alleged attack.