NYPD seek suspect accused of assaulting Muslim MTA worker

NYPD released a sketch on Tuesday evening of a man wanted in connection with the assault of a Muslim MTA worker.

The suspect is described as Hispanic, 25-35 years old, between 5-feet 9-inches and 6-feet, 150 to 180 pounds. He was last seen wearing a dark colored jacket and a black knitted winter hat.

Around 7 a.m. on Monday in the NYC Transit area of Grand Central, a man assaulted a 45-year-old female MTA worker after following her off the northbound 7 train, a police spokesman said.

The man called the woman a “terrorist,” and yelled “Go back to your country,” according to NYPD.

The man attempted to grab the worker’shijab, which she wears in observance of her religion, and pushed her to the ground, the spokesman said.

The woman injured her knee and her twisted her ankle and was taken to a local hospital for treatment, NYPD said.

“New York will continue to set the example for the nation – safeguarding our diversity and our differences, and rooting out bigotry and hatred wherever it exists,” Gov. Andrew Cuomosaid. “The work of the Hate Crimes Task Force has never been more urgent and we will continue to crack down on this type of criminal behavior. I wish a speedy recovery for the victim, and want to let her know we are seeking justice for her and for all New Yorkers.”

The suspect is described as Hispanic, 5-feet 10-inches tall and was last seen in a black jacket and black hat.

Assaulting an MTA worker is a felony.

Hate crimes in the city have increased115 percent since Election Day, NYPD Chief of Detectives Robert Boyce told NBC4.

Bias attacks “targeting” MTA are on the rise, according to Cuomo’s office.

On Saturday, a 1 train was vandalized with graffiti that included swastikas. Last week, KKK fliers and business cards were distributed at the Patchogue and Hampton Bay Stations on the Long Island Rail Road, his office said.

Anyone with information on Monday’s assault or another crime should call NYPD’s Crime Stoppers Hotline 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or go to the website www.nypdcrimestoppers.com, NYPD requested.