NEW YORK (1010 WINS/WCBS 880) – A man was attacked at a Midtown subway station, and again on the street, as he followed and repeatedly confronted a group of thieves who stole his cellphone, police said Tuesday.
The NYPD released images of four suspects they're searching for in the violent Oct. 29 robbery. A fifth suspect, Jhonni Diaz, 20, of New Jersey, was arrested at the scene and charged with robbery, gang assault, criminal mischief, criminal possession of stolen property, and resisting arrest.
The five thieves surrounded the 22-year-old victim and stole his phone at 3 a.m. on a northbound train entering the 57th Street–Seventh Avenue station.
The victim confronted them at the station, so they punched and kicked him numerous times, police said.
They fled the station, but the injured victim followed them to the street and confronted them a second time. They pummeled him again, police said.
Responding officers were able to apprehend one of them, while the other four fled the scene, according to police.
EMS transported the victim to Mount Sinai West, where he was listed in stable condition.
Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS.