Suspect arrested after woman beaten with own cane in Harlem subway station
HARLEM - The NYPD has arrested the man accused of repeatedly beating a 60-year-old woman for over two minutes with her own cane on a subway station in Harlem.
Detectives identified the suspect as 43-year-old Norton Blake, who reportedly has nine prior arrests. He has been charged with assault.
According to the New York Post, police spoke to both the victim and Blake when they got to the scene, but let Blake go after the two gave conflicting accounts of what happened.
The attack happened Friday around 3:30 a.m. in the area of W. 116 St. and Lenox Avenue.
Featured
NYC crime: Woman beaten over 50 times with own cane in Harlem subway station
The attack, which lasted around two minutes, happened in the area of W. 116 St. and Lenox Avenue.
According to police, the suspect is seen in the video swinging an umbrella at the woman.
"That video that is circulating around on social media, it’s tough to watch," NYPD Chief of Transit Michael Kemper said.
When the woman used her cane to try and defend herself, Blake allegedly took it and used it against her, hitting her around 50 times for over two minutes, police said.
According to Mayor Adams, an active investigation is underway into the role of the police officers who initially responded, as well as the supervisors who responded.
The transit worker who recorded the assault was praised by MTA Chair & CEO Janno Lieber for recording the attack and providing evidence that led to Blake's arrest.
The victim remains hospitalized in stable condition.
According to the most recent police department statistics, transit crime is down 4.5% this year compared to last.