Mask request in subway station leads to beating, attempted robbery

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Thursday, September 17, 2020
Woman attacked by pair after asking them to wear mask in subway station
The 28-year-old victim was struck in the head and body before she was sprayed in the face with an unknown substance -- all because she asked one of the suspects to wear a mask.

PARK SLOPE, Brooklyn (WABC) -- Police are searching for the suspects who attacked and robbed a woman who asked one of them to wear a face mask on the subway.

The incident happened Tuesday around 7:30 p.m. inside the Union Street subway station on the R train platform.

The 28-year-old victim was attacked by a male and female suspect.

Video from the scene shows the suspects police are looking for after a woman was attacked for asking one of them to wear a mask.

The victim was struck in the head and body before they took her cellphone and threw it on the ground.

RELATED | Mask up or pay up: MTA now enforcing $50 fine on bus, subway

Police say they then sprayed the victim in the face with an unknown liquid.

The victim was taken to the hospital for pain and bruising but is said to be stable.

The suspects ran away in an unknown direction.

RELATED | Bodega workers in New York City say mask law puts their safety in jeopardy

The MTA started enforcing its new mask policy on trains and buses Monday, meaning not wearing a face covering is now punishable with a $50 fine.

The new rule applies to subways, buses and all LIRR and Metro North trains.

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

RELATED: NYC Transit demonstrates ultraviolet tech killing COVID-19

New York City Transit officials on Friday demonstrated the ultraviolet technology it is using to kill COVID-19 in a pilot program to disinfect entire trains.

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