Man Slashed On Subway In Midtown; Latest Crime Stats Reveal Disturbing Trend Across NYC
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- A man was slashed on the subway Friday morning in Midtown -- in an incident that's part of a disturbing trend across the city, both above and underground.
A 60-year-old man from Mahwah was making his way onto a crowded train around 8:15 a.m. when he got into an altercation with another man, 1010 WINS' Al Jones reported.
Police said the suspect started cursing, sparking the quarrel between the men, CBS2's Tracee Carrasco reported.
At the 57th Street and Seventh Avenue station, serving the N, Q and R lines, the suspect slashed the 60-year-old victim with a small knife in the chin and face before taking off, police said.
The victim continued on his way to work and then called 911 when he arrived at his job at Chopard Watches and Jewelry at Madison Avenue and 63rd Street.
The victim was taken to Lenox Hill Hospital where he received six stitches. His employer refused to comment.
The suspect was still at large late Friday.
"It was like 8:15, I saw the ambulance over here and cops pulled up behind him and they went right into the ambulance. Somebody must have been in there injured," witness James Lasalla told CBS2's Steve Langford.
There was an increased police presence in the station Friday, something that many riders said is needed.
"I guess they need more policing; you know, I gather, because they have all kind of nuts," said Mel Cannon of the Bronx.
"I don't know what to suggest except more people in the subways," said Elizabeth Hansen of Manhattan.
"It's pretty dangerous," said Victor Gonzalez of the Bronx. "They need to do something about it, definitely."
Reported stabbing and slashing attacks in New York City are up 21 percent -- from 503 to 609 -- this year compared to last year. In the transit system alone, there have been 15 slashings this year, compared to 10 for the same period last year.
"I think that, being that the media has talked about it so much, that it has caused like a ripple effect and people are just doing it because it's in the news so it still causes a concern whether it was a dispute amongst two people or it's random acts, still the same," one commuter told WCBS 880's Rich Lamb.
Recent incidents across the city this month include the slashing of an anti-crime officer in Brownsville on Sunday. She was slashed from her neck to her cheek as she tried to break up a fight.
"I don't worry about it too much, but I think it's unsettling that that happens," said Emily Lerner of Brooklyn.
"I don't take the train personally and now I'm definitely not going to take the train anymore," a construction worker who saw the victim told CBS2.
A teen is also facing charges in connection with the recent attack on a Greenwich Village restaurant worker, who needed 137 stitches after he was slashed in the face.
Police are also looking for a suspect wanted in connection with a slashing that took place outside of a clothing store in SoHo.