NYPD impersonator assaults man in Manhattan subway station: police
FINANCIAL DISTRICT, Manhattan (PIX11) -- Police are searching for a man who allegedly impersonated an NYPD detective while assaulting a man inside a Manhattan subway station on Sunday, according to officials.
The man was wearing an NYPD Detective badge on a chain, trying to stop commuters from using the R train inside the Whitehall Street-South Ferry subway station around 6:30 p.m., according to police.
The man identifying as a police officer tried to stop a 46-year-old man. Police said when the victim walked away, the suspect sprayed pepper spray at the back of the man's head. The suspect got away on a northbound R train.
Submit tips to police by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477), visiting crimestoppers.nypdonline.org, downloading the NYPD Crime Stoppers mobile app, or texting 274637 (CRIMES) then entering TIP577. Spanish-speaking callers are asked to dial 1-888-57-PISTA (74782).
Jonathan Rizk is a digital journalist who has covered local news in New York City and Washington, D.C. He has been with PIX11 since August 2022. See more of his work here, and follow him on X and Facebook @OfficialRizk. Get in touch at jonathan.rizk@pix11.com.