Suspect Punched MTA Worker In Astoria, Queens Station, Police Say

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NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Police were searching Wednesday for a suspect who they say punched an MTA worker in the face after the employee chastised him for doing pull-ups inside a subway train in Queens.

The NYPD said around 1:10 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 9, the suspect was on a stationary N Train at the Astoria-Ditmars Boulevard station doing pull-ups on the handrails.

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority employee, a 64-year-old man, told the suspect it was in appropriate to use the handrails in such a manner, police said.

A verbal quarrel turned physical, and the suspect punched the employee in the face, police said.

The suspect then fled the station, police said.

The suspect was described as a man of medium complexion between 20 and 25 years old, with short black hair and brown eyes. He was last seen wearing a black short sleeved shirt, blue jeans and black sneakers.

Police have released surveillance photos and video.

Police say this man punched an MTA worker who chastised him for doing pull-ups on the handrails on a subway train in Astoria, Queens. (Credit: NYPD)

Anyone with information is asked to call the NYPD's Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or for Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782), visit www.nypdcrimestoppers.com or text tips to 274637 (CRIMES) then enter TIP577.