Police hunt for suspect in string of Manhattan assaults/slashings

MIDTOWN (WABC) -- Police are searching for a suspect wanted in multiple assaults in Manhattan, and they're hoping a surveillance photo will lead to an arrest.

The incidents happened in the East Village and Midtown early Wednesday.

Authorities say that just after 1 a.m., the suspect approached a 35-year-old man on a northbound no. 4 train at the Broadway and Lafayette station.

The suspect reportedly walked over to the victim with the exposed blade of a box cutter in his hand and then punched him in the face, causing a laceration/puncture wound to the right side of his face.

The suspect then exited the train at the 14th Street/Union Square station, where police say he came upon a 20-year-old woman and slapped her on the right side of her face.

He then went up the stairs in the vicinity of Food Emporium and encountered a 46-year-old man by the elevator. Police say he asked the man for $2, and when he refused, the suspects slashed the right side of his face.

The suspect then crossed 14th Street and encounterd a 59-year-old man waiting for the M14 bus.

The suspect asked the man for a dollar, and when he refused, he was also slashed on the right side of his face.

The suspect fled the location.

All victims were taken to Bellevue Hospital in stable condition.

The investigation in ongoing.

The suspect is described as a heavy set male black wearing a white hooded sweatshirt, black vest, blue jeans and red sneakers.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to call Crime Stoppers at (800) 577-TIPS (8477).