Man charged with assaulting, trying to kidnap child in Dorchester

A Boston man is accused of assault and attempted kidnapping of a child after grabbing a boy by the back of the neck at a Dorchester Fourth of July party.

Boston police said they received a report about a suspicious person on Wentworth Street at 4:13 p.m. Witnesses told officers that an unknown man, later identified as Manuel Cardoso, 44, of Boston, entered the driveway of a home where a July 4 gathering was underway and tried to urinate on the side of the house. 

Witnesses said the man began to speak to children on the property and was told to leave the area, according to officials. The suspect then allegedly grabbed a boy by the back of the neck and tried to drag him toward the street, according to police. 

Police said bystanders intervened and physically removed him from the property, and he fled the scene. Police were given a description of the suspect and located him in the area of 21 Darlington St.

Cardoso was arrested and faces charges of assault and battery on a child under 14 and kidnapping charges. He is expected to be arraigned in Dorchester District Court.