A man was arrested Thursday for shoving a 74-year-old straphanger onto the subway tracks during a “disgusting,” unprovoked attack on the Upper East Side, cops said.
Derrick Mills, 49, was nabbed for the heartless assault inside the 68th Street-Hunter College station early Tuesday, which left the victim with a fractured spine.
Cops nabbed Derrick Mills, 49, on Thursday for the heartless assault inside the 68th Street-Hunter College station early Tuesday, which left the older man with a fractured spine.
Mills allegedly walked up to the septuagenarian inside the station at around 12:20 a.m. and pushed him off the downtown 6-train platform without uttering a word, police said.
The victim landed on his back and neck and suffered multiple fractures — including to his ribs, pelvis and spine — from the fall, according to the NYPD.
He was helped up by a MTA employee while his attacker dashed out of the station.
The NYPD released surveillance footage of the suspect and a New Yorker who recognized him from the image called police.
Cops picked up Mills, of West 80th Street, Thursday afternoon. He reportedly confessed to the crime when asked by officers, sources told The Post.
“This was a disgusting incident that understandably unsettled riders and we appreciate the rapid arrest that was assisted by a New Yorker who saw a photo of the perpetrator that was taken by a station platform camera,” New York City Transit President Richard Davey said in a statement.
Mills was charged with assault and is awaiting arraignment.
“We’ve said over and over that if you commit a crime in the New York City subway system, your picture will be taken, the NYPD will find you, and we will press for maximum prosecution,” Davey added.
Mills has one prior assault charge from 2000.
