NEW YORK (1010 WINS) – A Brooklyn man has been indicted for allegedly stabbing a man who stole his blanket at a subway station in Chelsea on New Year’s Day, prosecutors announced Thursday.
Jamar Banks, 52, was charged with assault and attempted assault, according to Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg Jr.
“Jamar Banks allegedly stabbed a man on the subway on New Year’s Day, before fleeing,” said District Attorney Bragg. “Violence in our subway system will not be tolerated, and we will continue to prosecute those who harm straphangers. I hope the victim heals from this assault.”
According to court documents, on Jan. 1, at around 9:30 a.m., Banks was sleeping on the seat of an uptown 2 train. A man then took his suitcase, carried it into the next subway car, removed Banks' blanket, and then lay down to sleep on a seat.
When the train reached the 14th Street station at Seventh Avenue, Banks woke up and realized his suitcase was gone. He searched for it and entered the adjacent subway car, where he found the man asleep with his blanket.
Banks allegedly ripped the blanket away, yelled at the man, and brandished a knife during the confrontation, according to prosecutors. As the victim started to walk away, Banks allegedly stabbed him once in the back, puncturing the victim’s lung with a 5-centimeter-deep laceration.
The victim managed to make it to the next subway car where he pushed the emergency button and collapsed to the ground, bleeding. Bystanders called 911. The victim was transported to NYC Health + Hospitals / Bellevue where he is receiving treatment for a ruptured lung and internal bleeding.
Banks fled the subway but was arrested on Jan. 5, when he allegedly had the knife used in the stabbing on him.