Stunning Video: Man Throws Woman on Philly Subway Tracks During Vicious Attack

PHILADELPHIA (TheBlaze/AP) -- Transit police in Philadelphia have arrested a man who allegedly threw a woman on the subway tracks at a station in the city's Chinatown neighborhood.

Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) police say the attack happened around 3:30 p.m. Tuesday when the man approached the woman on the subway platform and asked for a light. Surveillance video shows the suspect then moved closer and began beating her.

Authorities say the man grabbed the woman by her ankles and threw here onto the tracks before walking away with her phone. It was unclear if he knew her.

SEPTA Police Chief Thomas Nestell says the woman was able to climb off the tracks and suffered only bumps and bruises.

Police say they arrested the man around 2:30 p.m. Thursday, identifying him by his jacket. NBCPhiladelphia.com reports the attacker is William Clark, pictured below:

William Clark (Source: NBCPhiladelphia.com)

But the capture of Clark isn't without controversy. While the attack happened on Tuesday, police did not go public with the footage until Thursday. That was a calculated decision according to SEPTA Chief of Police Thomas Nestel. That's because police didn't want the man ditching his very distinct jacket.

"He gets rid of that coat and I lose my best chance to get a dangerous man off the streets," Nestel explained to the news outlet.

​This story has been updated.