New York City subway attacks: Teen punched, man kicked onto tracks
NEW YORK (WABC) -- Police are investigating two separate attacks that occurred in subway system over the weekend.
Officials say a 64-year-old man fell onto the tracks at Penn Station on Sunday after someone came up behind him and kicked him in the back.
The attack happened at around 5 p.m. at the A/C/E line.
The man was then helped back onto the platform. Authorities say he suffered injuries to his back and knee and was taken to the hospital in stable condition.
Speaking outside their Queens home, the wife of the victim confirmed he was recovering Monday.
"First time he's scared," Jhan Khan said. "Now, he's okay."
She says her husband is a postal worker who was heading home from work at the time of the attack. She says that her husband told her there was no argument beforehand.
The suspect fled the scene.
Police release surveillance footage of the man they say is wanted in connection to the attack.
"I feel like in New York in particular people watch out for each other. It kind of defines the city," one rider said.
A few hours later on the mezzanine level of the A/C line at 168th Street, a 17-year-old woman got into a verbal dispute with another woman and was punched multiple times.
An 18-year-old man who was with the victim attempted to break up the fight when his cell phone was dropped onto the ground.
Officials say the suspect picked up his cell phone and fled the scene toward 169th Street. The suspect is described as a female wearing all black with white sneakers and a nose piercing.
RELATED: Eyewitness News Neighborhood Crime Tracker
The 17-year-old woman was taken by EMS to NewYork-Presbyterian in stable condition.
"Honestly, sometimes, safety is something to worry about," one rider said.
Authorities are also looking for another man who they say stuck his hands down a sleeping passenger's pants.
On Friday, a 27-year-old man was slashed on a subway train in what police are investigating as a hate crime. The attack happened around 11 p.m. after the man got on a northbound A train at 14th Street.
Passengers are not the only victims. Last Thursday, a 59-year-old subway conductor was slashed in the neck as he pulled into the Rockaway Ave station during the overnight hours. He received 34 stitches.
So far, no arrests have been made in any of the attacks.
"It's gotten worse," said one commuter.
It is hard to keep track of all the attacks -- statistics show violence in the subway system is rising.
According to the latest numbers released Monday, overall there's been a 13.1% increase in major crimes on the transit system.
Felony assaults are up 15.5%, grand larcenies up 17.8%. robberies though have actually dropped slightly by 1.1%. While there were eight shooting victims so far this year compared to one last year, police are arresting more than two times the number of people for bringing guns onto the subway.
Fare evasions continue to be the largest number of arrests with a 67.2% increase.
By the end of February last year, there were 310 attacks on the trains -- compared to this year at 351.
"There's many ways that the state can even ramp up more support for protection of citizens and commuters on the subway," said Governor Kathy Hochul on Monday.
Gov. Hochul said she had a meeting with Mayor Adams and the NYPD's Chief of Transit and plans to announce more resources to combat transit crime on Wednesday.
The governor says a sample of what she will announce on Wednesday is cameras on every car by the end of the year, and cameras in every conductor booth.
ALSO READ: Bus driver arrested in crash with car in North Bellport: Police
----------
* Get Eyewitness News Delivered
* Download the abc7NY app for breaking news alerts
Submit a tip or story idea to Eyewitness News
Have a breaking news tip or an idea for a story we should cover? Send it to Eyewitness News using the form below. If attaching a video or photo, terms of use apply.
