DA: Subway Menace Demands Quarter, Holds Up Rider at Knifepoint Updated January 8, 2010 6:26pm

Accused subway menace James Washington is charged with threatening a Times Square transit patron and demanding twenty-five cents. (AP Photo / Kathy Willens)

By Shayna Jacobs

DNAinfo Reporter/Producer

MANHATTAN CRIMINAL COURT — A knife-wielding subway straphanger terrorized Midtown subway riders when he chased down another passenger and demanded someone give him a quarter, prosecutors said.

James Washington, 51, started "cursing and acting irate" in front of a crowd of subway passengers at the 42nd Street and Seventh Avenue subway station just after midnight on Dec. 29, prosecutors said.

Washington waved what looked like a knife around and demanded someone in the crowd hand over twenty-five cents, prosecutors said during his video arraignment from Bellevue Hospital's psychiatric ward Thursday.

"You guys are punks! Why are you looking at me like that?" Washington allegedly told onlookers.

"This is how I do!" Washington allegedly told the crowd before leaving.

He was charged with weapons possession and menacing.

Washington insisted he didn't have a knife.

"It was a can opener!" the disheveled Washington said while slumped in his seat during his video court appearance.

His case was adjourned to Feb. 4.