Police: Worker Slashed By Homeless Man In Bronx Dunkin' Donuts

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Yet another person was slashed in New York City on Wednesday, this time a worker at a Bronx Dunkin' Donuts.

As CBS2's Tracee Carrasco reported, slashings and stabbings have climbed dramatically in the city this year, with the total number amounting to 657 as of Tuesday morning.

The total is up 22.5 percent from the same time last year.

The woman was working at the walk-up window at the Dunkin' Donuts at 2 E. Kingsbridge Rd., in the Kingsbridge section of the Bronx, when a homeless man with a lengthy criminal history reached through the window and slashed her face around 5:45 a.m., police said.

The 35-year-old victim noticed the suspect loitering inside the Dunkin' Donuts and asked him to leave, police sources said.

The suspect did leave, but returned and then slashed the worker on the left side of her face during a quarrel, police said.

It was not clear how severely the woman was injured, but she was taken to North Central Bronx Hospital where her condition was reported as stable, police said.

Ronald Thompson, 31, was arrested at the scene, police said. CBS2 has learned he has 31 prior arrests.

A witness in the store at the time described the bloody scene.

"It was horrific, OK? When I saw the girl, she clutched her cheek to close over the gash," the man said. "It was not a pretty sight."

Dunkin' Donuts released a statement late Wednesday in regard to the slashing:

"We are aware of an incident involving a franchisee employee that took place this morning at the Dunkin' Donuts restaurant located at the 2 Kingsbridge Road in the Bronx. The safety and well-being of franchisees' crew members and customers are a top priority. The franchisee is cooperating fully with the local police investigating this incident. As this is an ongoing police matter, any further inquiries should be directed to the NYPD."

A similar attack happened in the Bronx back on Jan. 4. A McDonald's employee was stabbed to death when he got into a quarrel with an apparently homeless person who had overstayed his welcome in the bathroom.

In such situations, the NYPD wants people to call for help first before taking matters into their own hands.

"We would encourage anybody in a restaurant business at all; commercial location, to immediately call the police if you have this issue, and not to address it; address this person by yourselves," said NYPD Chief of Detectives Robert Boyce.

Late Wednesday, suspect Thompson was in police custody at the 52nd Precinct.