Train Motorman Loses Teeth when Smashed in Face with Metal Pipe

Police are searching for this man in connection with an attack on a train operator. -Photo by NYPD

By Dan Gesslein 

Manhattan Voice

August 29, 2023

NEW YORK - An MTA motorman is recovering after being struck in the face with a metal pipe by a deranged man on a subway train, cops said.

Police released surveillance video taken from inside a subway station which appears to show the suspect holding a metal pipe. Investigators believe the assault stemmed from the train going out of service.

At around 11:45 pm on August 27, a northbound C train was at the 168 Street-Washington Heights subway station when the train was deemed out of service.

The 37-year-old motorman was helping clear the out of service train of passengers when he came upon the suspect. The man refused to leave the train and began arguing with the motorman.

As the argument turned heated, the suspect displayed a box cutter. He then swung a metal pipe and smashed the train operator in the face repeatedly.

Cops said the victim lost multiple teeth in the attack.

The attacker fled the train in an unknown direction.

The victim was transported by EMS to New York Presbyterian/Columbia University Irving Medical Center in stable condition.

The suspect is described as  a male with a dark complexion and medium build. He was last seen wearing a grey hoodie and grey bucket hat.

Anyone with information in regard to this incident is asked to call the NYPD's Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or for Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782). The public can also submit their tips by logging onto the CrimeStoppers website at https://crimestoppers.nypdonline.org/ or on Twitter @NYPDTips. 

All calls are strictly confidential.