Officer turns self in after MTA worker attacked in bear hug at Bronx subway station

BRONX, N.Y. (WABC) -- An NYPD officer was suspended after he turned himself in for questioning in the assault of an MTA worker on a Bronx subway platform.

Around 2:30 a.m. Dec. 23, a 28-year-old woman who works for the MTA was approached by a man on the southbound platform of the D Train at the East Tremont station, according to police. The male grabbed the woman, who was on duty and in full uniform, in a bear hug and pushed her to the platform.

The officer, who is assigned to the 25th Precinct in East Harlem, was off duty at the time of the alleged assault, authorities said. He turned himself in after he was identified from surveillance video released by police.

The New York City Police Department Internal Affairs unit is investigating; the officer was suspended pending the outcome of the investigation. No charges were immediately filed.

According to police, the suspect began to choke her, but then fled. The victim's head, neck and back were injured, and was treated at an area hospital.

Anyone with information about the case is asked to call 1-800-577-TIPS (8477), submit tips at WWW.NYPDCRIMESTOPPERS.COM or text tips to 274637 (CRIMES) then enter TIP577.