QUEENS — A man punched a 22-year-old woman in the face and stomach after asking her for directions at the Forest Hills subway station Tuesday, police said.
Clayton Bowen, 34, approached the victim as she sat with her friend on a bench waiting for a Jamaica-bound train at the 71st/Continental Avenue station around 12:30 a.m., officials said.
When Bowen asked them “which side is Manhattan bound,” the victim answered “leave us alone,” according to his criminal complaint.
Bowen then punched the victim in the face and stomach, leaving her with pain and swelling, according to court records.
Bowen was arrested about an hour later at the intersection of Queens Boulevard and 71st Avenue and charged with assault and harassment, police said.
The victim was taken to Forest Hills Hospital, where she was treated and released, according to the Daily News, which first reported the incident.
Bowen has several prior arrests dating back to 2003, including jumping a subway turnstile and criminal possession of stolen property, police said.
He was released without bail and is due back in court on Dec. 13, according to court records.
His attorney did not immediately return a phone call seeking comment.
