It was a violent and chaotic attack on the subway that left a conductor injured. Katherine Creag reports.
What to Know
- Charges are pending against a 30-year-old man police say punched a subway conductor who told him to stop holding the doors open
- The violence unfolded Friday morning at the 125 Street subway station in Harlem
- The conductor who was punched suffered a bruised nose and the suspect suffered a cut to his lip
A subway conductor was attacked by a man who was told to stop blocking the doors while stopped at a Harlem station, officials say.
A 30-year-old man was on holding the doors open on a four train on the downtown platform at the 125th Street station around 12:15 a.m. Friday, according to the NYPD. When the conductor told the man to stop blocking the doors, the man walked over to him and punched him in the nose.
The 33-year-old conductor then punched the suspect back and a struggle ensued, police said. The suspect was taken to an area hospital suffering from a cut on his lip.
The conductor was treated at an area for a bruise on his nose. The suspect, later identified as Julio Leonardo of the Bronx was quickly taken into custody and arrested, police said. He is charged with assault; attorney information for Leonardo wasn't immediately available.
"Our conductor was just doing his job, helping our customers and helping to keep the train moving when he was senselessly attacked," New York City Transit President Andy Byford said in a statement. "I am disgusted by this attack on my colleague and we are working closely with police to ensure that the perpetrator is held accountable."
The local transit workers' union echoed Byford's sentiments.
"Riders don't fully understand how difficult and dangerous working in the subway can be. This terrible incident is an ugly example," Transport Workers Union President Tony Utano said in a statement. "This was a disgusting and outrageous attack, and we will do everything we can to see that this criminal gets the punishment he deserves in court."
