Police: Subway Thug Has Attacked Straphangers 4 Times In Last Few Days
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Police are looking for a man wanted in a string of violent muggings in the subway.
Investigators said he has struck at least four times since last Tuesday. In each case, he approaches a male straphanger and asks for the time, police said. That's when he assaults his victim and robs him, police said.
The first incident happened on July 23 around 9:30 p.m. on the C train near West 125th Street. The 31-year-old male victim suffered a broken jaw and fractured eye socket, police said.
"I was in the wrong place at the wrong time," the man, who did not want to be identified, told CBS 2's John Slattery on Thursday.
Police: Suspect Wanted In String Of Violent Subway Muggings
Two days later, a 57-year-old man was robbed on the C train near 116th Street, police said. He suffered a punctured lung and broken ribs, police said.
Hours later, just after midnight, on July 26, the suspect struck again on the platform of the C train near Frederick Douglass Boulevard and West 116 Street, police said. The victim, a 36-year-old man, was robbed and assaulted, police said.
The latest incident happened Wednesday at 4 p.m. Police said the suspect targeted a 27-year-old man on the A train as it passed 110th Street and Cathedral Parkway. The suspect robbed him and left the victim with serious facial injuries, police said.
Police: Suspect Wanted In String Of Violent Subway Muggings
So far, police said he's gotten away with cash, credit cards, cellphones and jewelry. The suspect has been described as having the build of a linebacker and could pack a potentially fierce punch, CBS 2's Slattery reported.
Police were beefing up patrols at subways and on trains as commuters faced another frightening reminder to be vigilant.
The robberies have put riders on the lookout.
"Well, be vigilant, I guess," Joshua Cody said.
"This place is very dangerous," one man said. "It's not safe for the passengers."
"If he's just punching people, no one is doing anything, then that's just terrible," said another.
Police said the suspect was seen on subway surveillance video leaving the train station just after the first attack on July 23.
Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477), visit the Crime Stoppers website at www.nypdcrimestoppers.com or text tips to 274637 (CRIMES) then enter TIP577. All calls are strictly confidential.
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