NYC Woman Assaulted By Mugger For $50, Attack Caught On Camera [Video]

KEY POINTS

The assailant punched the woman three times in the face
The mugger fled the scene after stealing from the woman
The victim refused medical attention despite having bruises on her face

A mugger was caught on camera repeatedly punching a woman in the face and then dragging her out from an elevator by her feet inside a New York City subway stop.

The incident occurred around 10:30 p.m. on Nov 1. inside the subway station at 125 Street and Lexington Avenue in East Harlem. Surveillance footage of the incident released by police on Wednesday showed the attacker approaching the 36-year-old woman inside the elevator.

The two appeared to exchange a few words, the video shows. But, the man could be seen becoming angry at the victim and started to scream at her. During the exchange, the woman tries to push the unknown assailant away, but the man grabs her jacket with his left hand and forcefully punches her three times in the face with his right hand.

WANTED for a Robbery in an elevator inside the 125 Street and Lexington Avenue subway station . #Manhattan @NYPD25pct on 11/1/21 @ 10:25 PM the individual assaulted the victim then forcibly removed their property. Reward up to $3500 Call 1-800-577-TIPS Calls are CONFIDENTIAL! pic.twitter.com/9yxpeQZyaj
— NYPD Crime Stoppers (@NYPDTips) November 10, 2021

He then threw the woman to the ground and dragged her out of the elevator by her feet, the video shows. Police said the mugger took $50 from the woman and fled the scene, WABC reported.

According to the police, the woman sustained bruises on her face but refused medical attention, the New York Post reported.

Police are still looking for the mugger.

An influx of subway passengers after a year of restrictions has raised public safety concerns.

Acting Chair and CEO of the MTA, Janno Lieber said to PIX 11, "Our statistics show, demonstratively, that it is safer in the subway than it is in almost anywhere in New York."

"The numbers are very low and they have been getting lower in recent months. One of the things that we are asking the city government to do, because the city is really responsible for the issue of homelessness and especially providing mental health services to people who need it, is that they have more outreach workers [in the subway system.]," he added.

According to NYC Crime statistics, citywide transit crime increased by 80 percent between Nov.1 and Nov.7, with 47 incidents being reported compared to 26 reports during the same period last year.

Police are urging anyone with information regarding the recent incident to call the NYPD's Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or for Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782).