KEY POINTS

  • A man punched a woman in the arm, threw her to the ground and tried to rape her in a Manhattan subway station last month
  • Other subway riders saw what was happening and intervened
  • Police released a sketch of the suspect, who remains at large

A 45-year-old woman was saved from a rape attempt in a busy subway station in New York City thanks to the intervention of good Samaritans, police said.

The New York City Police Department said the incident happened at around 11:30 p.m. on Jan. 14 inside the 14th Street-Seventh Avenue station in Manhattan, Pix 11 reported.

The male suspect punched the victim in the arm, threw her to the ground and tried to rape her, police said.

Other subway riders saw what was happening and intervened. The suspect fled on board a northbound train.

The woman refused medical attention at the scene, according to authorities.

The NYPD released a sketch of the suspect, who remains at large.

Police are seeking help from the public for information related to the attack. Those with information can contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477), visit crimestoppers.nypdonline.org, download the NYPD Crime Stoppers mobile app or text 274637 (CRIMES) then enter TIP577. Spanish-speaking callers are asked to dial 1-888-57-PISTA (74782).

Last year marked the most dangerous year in the New York City subway since 1997, the New York Post reported. The NYPD reported 461 felony assaults in the subway system in 2021.

In other news, two subway conductors were attacked minutes apart in the Bronx Thursday afternoon. Police are still investigating if the two incidents are related, according to another New York Post report.

The first MTA worker was attacked around 3 p.m. that day at the Prospect Avenue station as he was peeking out a subway window to make sure the train’s doors were clear of commuters, anonymous police sources told the outlet.

The conductor was punched by a male suspect but ended up being hit in the wrist after he raised his arm in defense, the sources said. The conductor also slammed his head as he tried to avoid the attack.

Minutes later, a second conductor was punched in the head and spat on by a male suspect at Jackson Avenue station, the next stop on the 2/5 line.

Although it has yet to be established if the incidents were related, both victims said that their attacker was in his 40s.

NYC Subway
Representation. Pixabay
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