Suspect arrested after woman thrown onto Bronx subway tracks
NEW YORK -- The NYPD says it has made an arrest in the case of a woman shoved onto subway tracks in the Bronx on Sunday afternoon.
But as CBS2's Christina Fan reported, the violent attack has left subway riders on edge.
Police say Theodore Ellis is the man seen on surveillance video grabbing a 52-year-old homeless woman and then forcefully hurling her onto the elevated tracks at the Jackson Avenue subway station.
The horrifying attack was the talk of Tuesday morning's rush hour among commuters.
According to sources, Ellis allegedly told cops he had a prior argument with the victim. He couldn't remember what she said to upset him and he was not aware of his own strength.
Even after police arrested charged him with assault and reckless endangerment, straphangers at the station were taking no chances, standing as far away from danger as possible.
Police are still investigating if the victim knew her attacker.
Regardless of whether or not the attack was provoked, a new Siena Poll shows 7 in 10 New Yorkers feel less safe today than they did before the pandemic. In all, 76 percent are concerned they could be the next crime victim.
On Tuesday, Mayor Eric Adams tried dispelling those numbers, stating shootings and homicides were dropping.
"The feeling of being safe and the actualizing of being safe are not the same feeling," Adams said.
Riders in the Bronx said they don't feel the same way due to almost daily attacks making it on the news.
"I get nervous. You see people get close and I'll back up. I always remind her, stay back, stay close to wall, don't leave me, and things like that," said Cassie Perez of Melrose.
Police say the victim in the shoving attack is expected to be okay. The tumble left her with cuts and a broken collarbone, but good Samaritans where able to get her off the tracks.
Again, there has been no confirmation whether the two people involved knew each other.
