Woman Slashes 2 Straphangers in Argument Over Subway Pole: NYPD, Report

A straphanger slashed two other subway riders in the face when she got into an argument with them about sharing a pole on the train, according to police and a published report.

The suspect, pictured in a beige cape-shoulder coat and sunglasses, was riding the southbound A train approaching Jay Street at about 7 p.m. last Friday, Dec. 18, when she got into an argument with a 28-year-old woman and a 48-year-old man on the train, according to police.

Gothamist reports the suspect became irritated by the man and the woman holding onto the pole she was leaning on, according to a friend of the victims, who gave an account of the altercation to the blog via email.

Video of the encounter obtained by Gothamist shows the suspect pulling an encased blade out of her red purse and uncapping it with her teeth as she says, "Do you want a clue of what's going to happen when I get off this train? I'm going to cut you and I'm going to get away with it. Now if you say one more word, it's going to end very badly."

The suspect then turns to the person filming the confrontation on cellphone and says brightly, "Hi, I'm used to cameras," then, "Get my good side."

After a brief pause, the suspect lunges at the victims with the blade, video shows. Other riders manage to separate the suspect from the victims, but not before the man and the woman receive small cuts to their faces, according to police.

When a homeless woman joined a family searching for their lost dog, she had no idea her good deed would help her find her own way home. WECT’s Bailey Hicks reports.

The suspect got off the train at Nostrand. The victims declined medical attention at the scene, police said.

"She's punching him. That's very violent, and I don't see him doing anything to her," said subway rider Alfred Cruz after watching the video Tuesday. "If you didn't know her, she would look like she is some kind of model, the way that she's fashionably trying to conduct herself. You can never judge a book by its cover." 

A straphanger slashed two other subway riders in the face when she got into an argument with them about sharing a pole on the train, according to police and a published report. Ida Siegal has more.

The suspect is described as being about 30 years old, 6 feet tall and 180 pounds. Anyone with information is asked to contact Crime Stoppers at 800-577-TIPS.

[NATL] Top News Photos: Pope Visits Japan, and More

-- Ida Siegal contributed to this report

Contact Us