Wild Vid: Man Seemingly Sucker Punches Unsuspecting Traveler at NYC Subway Station

(Photo: CBSNewYork)

Police have released security footage of a man "sucker punching" a fellow traveler at the Times Square subway station in New York City, before robbing him and hopping on a departing train.

The altercation occurred just after midnight inside the 42nd Street and Seventh Avenue station, according to the New York Post.

Video shows the suspect approaching the victim, possibly making small talk, before taking a look around.  Suddenly he sucker punches the backpack-wearing man, knocking him to the ground and grabbing his cell phone before running to the No. 1 train platform, police say.

Police described the suspect as a black male, approximately 30 years old and 6-foot-3 tall.  They're hoping the video will lead to an arrest.

CBSNewYork interviewed a number of commuters at the station, and they didn't seem surprised by the news.

"There are no police here, you know, and it's not safe," one said.  "You have to always look around you."

Another remarked: "These phones are so expensive, and...you're showing it off like if you want to make a call or you're texting somebody and somebody sees, that's a really expensive phone. You're going to be a target for them to mug you or rob you."

Here's the complete video of the robbery, via WPIX-TV:

--

Related:

• Frightening Video Shows Off-Duty Policeman Saving Spanish Woman From Subway Tracks
• ‘I Hate Hindus and Muslims’: Woman Arrested in Second NYC Subway Shoving Charged With Murder as a Hate Crime
• Shocking Video: Man Sucker Punches London Girl to the Ground With Vicious Blow to the Head