Man with pipe breaks MTA train operator's teeth in NYC subway assault: police

WASHINGTON HEIGHTS, Manhattan (PIX11) – A subway rider broke an MTA train operator’s teeth with a metal pipe during an assault on a train in New York City Sunday, police said.

The attack happened on a northbound C train at the 168th Street subway station in Washington Heights in Manhattan around 11:45 p.m., according to the NYPD.

The 37-year-old MTA train operator was trying to clear the train of passengers while at the station due to the train going out of service, police said. One of the passengers started arguing with the train operator and disobeyed his command to leave the train, according to police. 

The passenger then pulled out a box cutter and a metal pipe, then struck the train operator in his face with the pipe, police said. 

The train operator lost multiple teeth as a result of the attack, police said. He was taken to a hospital after the attack.

The assailant fled out of the subway station and hasn't been arrested. The NYPD released surveillance images of the suspect being sought.

New York City Transit President Richard Davey condemned the violence against the MTA worker.

"One instance of violence against transit employees is one too many," Davey said in a statement. "Our employees are just trying to move hard-working New Yorkers around the city, and being assaulted while doing their jobs is outrageous. We will work closely with the NYPD to ensure this perpetrator is caught, and that the DA throws the book at him. Keeping our workers safe is keeping our customers safe, and that's our top priority."

Submit tips to police by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477), visiting crimestoppers.nypdonline.org, downloading the NYPD Crime Stoppers mobile app, or texting 274637 (CRIMES) then entering TIP577. Spanish-speaking callers are asked to dial 1-888-57-PISTA (74782).