An NYPD cop returning home from work was sucker-punched and thrown onto the tracks at an East Village subway station in a random attack from a homeless man with a long criminal history, police said Wednesday.
The 24-year-old officer was waiting for an L train at the Third Ave. station at E. 14th St. after working a police detail at the United Nations General Assembly when he was attacked about 7:35 p.m. Tuesday, cops said.
The attacker punched the unsuspecting cop in the back of head and then grabbed him by the shirt and threw him onto the tracks, officials said. The assailant also tumbled off the platform during the struggle.
Both men managed to get back onto the platform before the train arrived at the station. The cop was helped up by a good Samaritan who witnessed the attack, officials said.
After the two fought some more, the attacker ran off, witnesses told police. Cops caught up with suspect Aaron Walker, 28, on an L train at the 14th St.-Union Square station.
Police hit Walker with a slew of charges including attempted murder, assault, reckless endangerment, trespass, and disorderly conduct. His last known address is a homeless shelter in Harlem, cops said.
He has a long criminal history including 28 prior arrests, 10 of them felonies, police said.
Walker’s arraignment in Manhattan Criminal Court was pending Wednesday.
