Gunman With Playboy Bunny Tattoo Arrested, Charged for Harassing Woman on Bronx-Bound 2 Train: NYPD

What to Know

  • A man assaulted a 23-year-old woman on a Bronx-bound 2 train in the early hours of Saturday morning, police said
  • He touched her thigh against her wishes, then pulled a gun on her when she asked him to stop
  • The woman noticed a tattoo of the Playboy logo on the suspect's neck before he exited the train

A gunman with a Playboy bunny tattoo has been apprehended for harassing a woman on a Bronx-bound subway, police said.

Sharif Mitchell was arrested Saturday afternoon in connection with the subway assault. The 29-year-old was charged with stalking, criminal possession of a weapon, menacing and harassment.

The victim boarded a Wakefield-241st Street-bound 2 train at 42nd Street-Times Square at 3 a.m. on Saturday, authorities said. As the train departed the 72nd Street station, Mitchell approached the 23-year-old and sat beside her.

He then began to compliment the victim and touch her right leg against her wishes. Despite her requests to stop, he brandished a black gun from his waistband and pointed it at her.

When the train reached the 149th Street-3rd Avenue station, he told the victim to exit the train with him, but she refused. Authorities said the young woman noticed a Playboy bunny tattooed on the left side of his neck before he exited the train.

Two female good samaritans who witnessed part of the ordeal called the police on the victim's behald after the three of them exited the train at the Intervale Avenue station, police said.

Mitchell was stopped near 143rd Street and Third Avenue in the Bronx after a description was broadcast over police department radio. 

Once the young woman identified him as the culprit, he was placed under arrest. Officers recovered a Hi-Point .380 caliber handgun from his front pants pocket and a loaded magazine from his back pocket.

Mitchell has an extensive history of arrests dating back to 2009, including fare evasion and robbery, according to police. In 2014, he had 23 sealed and 8 unsealed arrests.

"You guys saved me, I was going to kill someone else," he allegedly told the cops.

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