A Manheim man choked his 78-year-old mother, pushed her down and then punched a man Monday afternoon, police said.

State police in Ephrata charged Steven Dosch, 49, with simple assault and two counts of harassment as a result of the incident in the 100 block of Ridgewood Manor, Manheim, police said.

Dosch struck Helen Maker of Manheim and pushed her down several times, police said. He then punched Joel Wenger, 30, of Columbia, in the face when Wenger attempted to check on Maker's welfare.

rrobinson@lnpnews.com