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Would-Be Thief Threatens to Burn MTA Worker in Subway Booth, NYPD Says

By Aidan Gardiner | November 24, 2015 8:54am

MELROSE — A would-be thief tried to rob an MTA worker Sunday by threatening to light her booth on fire, police said.

"Don't scream or yell and you won't get burned alive. Put all the money outside the door," the suspect demanded in a note he slid the clerk at the Prospect Avenue station, near East 160th Street, about 9:19 p.m., NYPD officials said.

The suspect then filled the money tray with an unknown liquid and menacingly flicked his lighter, police said.

The clerk just shut the money tray slot and pressed the Emergency Booth Control System, which alerted police and scared off the suspect, NYPD officials said.

He wore black clothing and white gloves, with a scarf over his face and carrying a blue and black bag, police said.

Anyone with information should contact Crime Stoppers at (800) 577-TIPS (8477).