Three folks contracted to work MTA safety have been arrested for allegedly attacking a 20-year-old subway rider who was stopped after attempting to depart a Manhattan subway station via the emergency exit gate a day in the past, in line with police sources.
The trio was on responsibility on the 14th Avenue N station round 3:15 p.m. Wednesday when the three contractors, who weren’t armed, stopped the individual, the sources mentioned. The person went out via the turnstiles and left the station, three returned and began to report at the very least one of many contractors on his cellphone, the sources added.
One of many three contractors allegedly grabbed the cellphone and slammed it to the bottom, breaking it. The opposite two allegedly then surrounded the rider and began to punch him, whereas the alleged phone-grabber kicked him, the sources mentioned. The rider grabbed his cellphone and left, then reported the incident to transit police in the station, sources mentioned.
Video surveillance appeared to seize the incident and coincide with the rider’s narrative of occasions, in line with the sources. Two of the contractors have been introduced in for questioning and later arrested on a third-degree assault cost, sources mentioned. The third contractor had left the scene and had not been apprehended as of early Thursday afternoon.
The straphanger was handled for a small laceration to the face and is predicted to be OK.
The identify of the seller wasn’t instantly clear. Not less than one of many three people arrested appeared to have a prolonged rap sheet, although all prior circumstances have been sealed, the sources mentioned.
The company’s chief of exterior relations, John McCarthy, mentioned the MTA was cooperating with the NYPD.
“In the meantime, the vendor who employs the guards has assured those allegedly involved will not be assigned to work at MTA facilities,” McCarthy added.