UPPER EAST SIDE — A man accused a female straphanger of overcrowding the subway then slapped her face and tried to steal her phone after she photographed him, according to the NYPD.
A 22-year-old woman boarded a packed uptown 6 train at the East 59th Street and Lexington Avenue station roughly 9:25 p.m. on Oct. 6, when the suspect, who was already on the train, told her there wasn't enough room for her in the car, police said.
After an argument broke out, the woman took photos of the suspect with her cellphone, showing the suspect wearing red pants, a hooded sweatshirt and backpack, authorities said.
When he realized he had been photographed, he slapped the woman in the face and tried to snatch the phone from her hand, police said.
The suspect fled the train at the East 77th Street station without the phone, according to police.
The woman said her face hurt but declined medical attention.
Police described the suspect as being 6 feet tall, with brown eyes and black hair.
Anyone with information should contact Crime Stoppers at (800) 577-TIPS (8477).
