MANHATTAN — A razor-wielding would-be thief sliced the pocket off a sleeping straphanger's pants in an effort to rob him, police said.
The suspect used the razor to cut the 4 train rider’s left jeans’ pocket as the man was asleep on a northbound train around 3 a.m. Tuesday, according to the NYPD.
The 37-year old victim woke up after he felt "a tug on his pants," only to realize his jeans pocket had been ripped off and the suspect was standing over him holding a razor, officials said.
The victim tried to grab the would-be-thief but the suspect punched him in the face before fleeing at the 51st Street subway station, police said.
The same man, described as in his 20s or 30s, thin and with a red flattop hair style, tried to steal a C train rider's cell phone at knife point on Sunday, officials said.
But the 22-year-old victim managed to grab the knife and the suspect fled the northbound train empty-handed, exiting at the 155 Street subway station, police said.
Anyone with information in regards to these incidents is asked to call Crime stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477).
