Surveillance video reveals the heroic actions of a Good Samaritan who came to the aid of a young mother and newborn infant being harassed by a menacing stranger on a commuter train in Philadelphia, Pa.
"She moves from her seat and he follows her, he then swats at the baby," SEPTA Police Chief Thomas Nestel told WTXF-TV. "It looks as if he's trying to get control of that child."
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That's when evangelical minister and fellow passenger Tameka Bates stepped up to escort the woman and her week-old baby girl away, while at the same time physically blocking the man's advances.
"I said, 'Satan, the Lord God, rebuke you in the name of Jesus you will not touch this woman,'" Bates told the TV station.
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Tameka Bates thwarts attack by violent man on SEPTA train in Philadelphia, Pa.
At one point, the chief says, the deranged man grabbed for the baby, but Bates managed to lead the crying woman off the train.
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"I said, 'Miss, just stay with me and I'll protect you. I have you covered. Don't worry,'" said Bates.
"She should be playing for Villanova or St. Joe's during the tournament because she boxed this guy out better than any forward I've seen on any team," Nestel added. "This was just phenomenal, phenomenal behavior on the part of somebody who doesn't even know another person getting in and making sure they were safe."
Moments later, Steven Mason, 47, exploded in violence and attacked a SEPTA police officer.
Mason is now behind bars charged with aggravated assault, reckless endangerment and disarming a police officer.
Police say he was high on drugs at the time of the attack.
