Mugger Targets Charitable Woman In Subway Station, Police Say

MIDTOWN MANHATTAN, NY — A man is facing charges for attempting to rob a charitable woman in a Midtown Manhattan subway station, a Port Authority Police spokesman said.

Ousmane Diallo, 22, has been hit with criminal possession of stolen property, robbery and grand larceny charges in connection with the purse snatching. Just after midnight Friday, Diallo approached a 54-year-old woman who was giving a homeless man money inside the 32 Street and Fifth Avenue subway station. As the woman took out her purse, Diallo snatched it an ran away, police said.

A port authority police officer in the nearby PATH train tunnel was alerted to the theft by the victim's screams for help, a Port Authority spokesman said. The officer was able to chase Diallo down and arrest him, the spokesman said.

The purse, which contained credit cards, checks and $300 in cash, was returned to the woman, a Port Authority spokesman said.

The victim was "visibly upset" after the theft, but was not injured, a Port Authority spokesman said.

Photo courtesy Port Authority Police Department