Wanted: Orange Line Assault Suspect
BOSTON (CBS) -- MBTA police are hoping the public can help identify the man in this surveillance image, who is accused of assaulting two young women on the Orange Line.
The women, ages 18 and 19, said the man approached them two weeks ago onboard a trolley. They said he used homophobic and racial slurs, kicked them, spit on them and then took off.
It happened on Friday, November 19 just before 11 p.m., while the women rode onboard an Orange Line train traveling between Malden Center and Sullivan Square.
WBZ-TV Peg Rusconi reports.
"It's very concerning someone would initiate an unprovoked attack and a vicious attack," said Sgt. Michael Adamson of the Transit Police.
Security video shows the suspect in a gray cap, a stocky six-footer, jump the turnstiles that night at Malden Center Station to ride the MBTA's Orange Line for free.
Some passengers told us they're spooked by the randomness of the attack.
Said Shannon Brown, "Being my size and being a female, I'm honestly just scared hearing something like that. A random attack; he didn't even know the people."
Added Adrianne Davis, "That doesn't deserve to happen to anyone of any age, race or gender."
Police say the injuries to the women were minor, but this case is not.
"We are working with DA's office, once subject identified, possibility of civil rights violations or hate crimes."
Anybody who may be able to identify the man in the surveillance image, or who has more information for investigators can call MBTA Police at 617.222.1212 x 1052.
