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Crook sprays ‘unknown substance’ in MTA conductor’s eyes on R train in Forest Hills: NYPD

Aug. 1, 2023 By Bill Parry

An on-duty MTA conductor was attacked while on board her northbound R train at the Forest Hills-71st Avenue subway station on July 30.

Police from the 112th Precinct in Forest Hills and Transit District 20 are searching for the Crocs-wearing assailant who was standing on the platform as the train pulled into the Queens Boulevard station and suddenly sprayed an unknown substance into the face of the 40-year-old conductor before running off in an unknown direction. The victim suffered a burning sensation and irritation in her eyes, according to authorities.

“Attacking a train conductor who is working to get New Yorkers to where they need to go is intolerable and outrageous,” New York City Transit President Richard Davey said. “Fortunately, the MTA’s investment in security cameras across all 472 stations greatly assisted the NYPD in their investigation by providing high-quality images.”

The NYPD released a surveillance image that shows the suspect as he walked along the platform. He has a light complexion, a thin build, and shoulder-length black straight hair. He was last seen wearing a white T-shirt, blue shorts, black socks, black Crocs, eyeglasses, and a green and black backpack.

Anyone with information is asked to call the NYPD’s Crime Stoppers Hotline at 800-577-TIPS.

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