"Don't mess with the seniors out there," warns Gayen Sullivan, one of six members of the Meriden Senior Center credited with helping to stop an attack on a young woman outside the facility.
Police say it was May 12 when the group, taking a break for a smoke, spotted a 21-year-old man berating and shoving an 18-year-old woman across Main St. Members drew the woman to their side of the street, then stepped between her and the suspect.
"I just jumped in front of him and said, 'You're going to have to get through me to get to her,'" says Michele King, who says one man used a cane to defend the victim and another woman used an electric scooter to roll over the suspect's feet.
Officers arrived minutes later and made an arrest.
The victim was hospitalized with minor injuries. The suspect faces charges including third degree assault. He's also the subject of a risk protection order, according to Meriden Police Chief Roberto Rosado.
"Often, members of society will turn a blind eye to this type of behavior," said Rosado, addressing a Tuesday luncheon where the seniors were honored. "but, on this date, the brave seniors took command and control, and stopped the cycle of domestic violence."