But why did it take the department more than three weeks to get the video out?
The question is, would the attacker have been arrested sooner if the tape was made public faster?
Why did the NYPD wait 24 days to release the dramatic video?
Tips from the public that saw the disturbing video led to the arrest.
Within hours of the police releasing security video of the brutal attack and robbery of a woman at a Brooklyn subway station, tips flooded into the NYPD.
"There were some 40 calls to our tips hotline so people recognized right away and gave specific information," Police Commissioner Ray Kelly said.
What people immediately recognized in the video was the 21-year-old suspect, Aidan Folan's fraternity sweatshirt, the same hoodie he's seen wearing on his Facebook page.
So why did it take, the N-Y-P-D 24 days to release the surveillance video that so quickly identified the suspect?
"There are lots of different systems out there you have to make it compatible with our system, so there are some challenges in putting out these videos as quickly as possible," Kelly said.
"This is the key law enforcement tool of our day and age," said David Schwartz, former Assistant District Attorney.
This former Assistant Brooklyn prosecutor says there's no excuse for taking nearly a month to put out video of a wanted suspect, especially if he's violent.
"So there were a lot of days there where the perpetrator was running around and could have been a danger to our city," Schwartz said.
"Hitting me, hitting me, hitting me," said Dina Perez, the victim.
The victim of last month's robbery beating is relieved the video was finally released and her alleged attacker caught.
But for some, the gap between crime and release of crime video needs further scrutiny.
"It's important that the people of this city question the police department as to why," Schwartz said.
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