Suspect Charged In Connection With Slashing On Southbound 3-Train
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- A suspect was arrested and hit with multiple charges in custody Thursday night in a slashing incident that took place on a southbound No. 3 Train in Brooklyn.
Ras Alula Nagarit, 37, was charged with second-degree assault with a weapon, second-degree attempted assault, fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon, and third-degree menacing, police said.
At 9:30 p.m. on Tuesday, police responding to a 911 call found a 29-year-old woman with a laceration to her right hand.
The victim told officers that she was riding the train between Atlantic Avenue and Eastern Parkway when an unknown individual told her "I will chop you up on this train," before hitting the woman with an object wrapped in cloth.
The suspect fled in an unknown direction and the victim was taken to a nearby hospital where she was treated and released.
The arrest comes as many New Yorkers expressed concern over random slashings on the city's streets and subway system.
Subway stabbing and slashings are up 14.86 percent for the month of January, according to police. There have been 286 attacks so far compared to 249 in January 2015.
New Yorkers say that with these events multiplying they're much more inclined now to rely on transportation options up top, including buses, cabs and car services.
Residents say they understand crime is part of city life, but something so random by a growing number of unconnected criminals digs deep into our psyches. So even though the NYPD says more police are patrolling subways and streets, residents want even more officers whom they can see.