A Staten Island 15-year-old is being tried as an adult after allegedly choking a 38-year-old woman unconscious in an attempt to sexually assault her. Rasheed Mesidor is accused of following the woman to Madsen Avenue last Friday morning, then grabbing her, wrapping his hands around her neck and yelling at her to take off her pants. According to a criminal complaint, he yelled, "Take your pants off or I'll f---ing step on your neck."
After the woman lost consciousness, Mesidor allegedly stole an iPod, iPhone and money from her purse and then returned to South Richmond High School. He was arrested 90 minutes later, after the victim gave police a detailed description. Staten Island DA Dan Donovan said, "She did pretty much all we could hope for. She's a remarkably courageous young woman." Mesidor was charged with second- and third-degree robbery, first-degree attempted sexual abuse and fifth-degree criminal possession of stolen property, and is being held on $25,000 bail.
