Police say a man was attacked and targeted with anti-Jewish remarks while riding a subway train in downtown Brooklyn Monday morning.
Investigators say the incident happened around 10:45 a.m. on a southbound N train at the Atlantic Avenue subway station.
According to police, a 54-year-old man was on the train when another man walked up to him, punched him in the face and body and made anti-Jewish statements.
Police say the attacker also pulled the victim’s yarmulke off his head before running off.
The victim was taken to SUNY Downstate Medical Center and is expected to be OK.
The case is now being investigated by the NYPD’s Hate Crime Task Force.
Police released surveillance images of the man they say they are looking for and are asking the public for help identifying him. Investigators say he was last seen leaving on an N train headed toward Canal Street.
Riders who spoke with News 12 say incidents like this are why they stay alert while riding the subway.
“I’m really sad because I take the train every day at 4:20 and I’m very scared,” said Donna, of Canarsie. “If I don’t see one of my friends, I don’t know what to do, so I’m always alert and watching my surroundings and making sure I’m safe.”
New NYPD data shows 38 confirmed hate crimes were reported citywide in February, with anti-Jewish incidents making up the largest share.
Police say hate crimes in northern Brooklyn have more than doubled so far this year.
Anyone with information about the attack is asked to call the NYPD Crime Stoppers hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS.