NYPD: Man Wanted In Harlem Subway Robbery Was Wearing MTA Shirt

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- A man wanted in connection with a robbery at a subway station in Harlem was wearing what appears to be a Metropolitan Transportation Authority shirt at the time of the incident, police said.

It happened just before 4 a.m. on July 26 at the St. Nicholas Avenue subway station.

The suspect came up behind a 55-year-old man and put a sharp object to his neck before grabbing the victim's backpack and fleeing, police said.

The victim suffered minor injuries, but refused medical attention.

Police said the suspect was wearing a blue MTA shirt, along with blue jeans, and black and white sneakers. Police have not yet determined if the suspect is an MTA employee or was just posing as one, but commuters said they weren't trusting anyone.

"When you see something say something, you're gonna go to that person and say something, and they're the ones who's gonna rob you," Raquel Gonzalez said.

One commuter said the same thing happened to her at the same station.

"Seven, eight years ago I was at the other side of the station and I was attacked too, so I'm not surprised," Katherine Rodriguez said.

The crime may be common, but the outfit is not.

CBS2's Ali Bauman asked a subway attendant on post at the station Tuesday morning if uniforms are hard to come by, and she said she's so new to the job that she has yet to receive her MTA shirt.

Commuters said the crime had them on the lookout, but that it could just be a matter of fate.

"Just have to leave everything in the hands of God and believe that he's going to protect us," Annie Morales said.

Anyone with information is asked to call the NYPD Crime Stoppers at (800) 577-TIPS, visit the Crime Stoppers website, or text tips to 274637 (CRIMES) and enter TIP577.

The MTA tells CBS2 that they are helping the NYPD with the investigation.