A thief thrashed a straphanger with a cane and kicked him down the steps at a Manhattan subway station while taking his smartphone, cops said.
The criminal had asked the 45-year-old victim whether he could use his phone inside the West 110th Street and Central Park West station just before 10 p.m. Jan. 23, police said Monday.
The man consented — which is when the suspect swung a cane at him, hitting him in the ight side of the face and causing minor bleeding, police said.
The thief tried to get away, and the victim followed him up the steps going out of the station.
At one point, the assailant turned and kicked him down the steps, authorities added.
The victim suffered minor injuries.
Surveillance footage provided by the NYPD shows the man wearing a red jacket, red du-rag with a Yankees cap over it, and a gold elephant chain.
He is pictured strolling with a metal crutch and holding an orange tote bag.
Police are seeking for the public’s help in hunting him down.
»Thief kicks NYC straphanger down subway stairs: cops«