Man wanted for punching NYPD traffic agent on Staten Island

PORT RICHMOND, Staten Island (WABC) -- Police are searching for the man who punched an NYPD traffic officer in the throat and knocked him to the ground while working an intersection on Staten Island.

The attack Wednesday in the Port Richmond section was caught on camera.

Police say that shortly before 3 p.m. the 50-year-old agent was walking near the corner of Heberton Street and Post Avenue, when an unidentified individual approached him from behind and punched the agent in the throat with a closed fist.

The victim fell to the ground and was temporarily knocked unconscious.

EMS responded and took the agent to Staten Island University Hospital North, where he was treated and subsequently released for a head injury and contusion to the neck.

The motive for the attack remains unclear.

The suspect is described by the NYPD as a male black, 20's, thin build, last seen wearing a black t-shirt and grey pants.

Anyone with information in regards to this incident is asked to call the NYPD's Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or for Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782).