The NYPD has arrested a suspect who shoved a 58-year-old Burmese women down the subway stairs in an attempted robbery in July, leading to her death days later.
David Robinson, 53, is suspected of approaching and assaulting Than Wtwe Than and her 22-year-old son when they were leaving the Canal Street “N” subway station in Manhattan on July 28.
Police identified Robinson from surveillance camera footage.
According to the police, Robinson tried to forcibly remove a bag from the two victims, causing them to fall down the subway stairs, leaving the mother with a severe injury to the head. Than was hospitalized due to her critical condition, but soon entered a coma and died days later at nearby Bellevue Hospital.
According to Daily News, Than and her son had immigrated from Burma roughly three years ago. The two were heading to a doctor’s appointment that summer day when they were accosted by Robinson. Than worked as a seamstress making aprons.
Following the assault against Than, Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) communications director Tim Minton called on prosecutors “to be as aggressive in court as the NYPD was in its investigation,” Fox News reported.
He also noted the important role of surveillance cameras in subway stations.
“Once again, it is clear that with cameras in every subway station, anyone who preys on transit riders can expect to be identified and face justice,” Minton said.
“For this specific incident, we are grateful our cameras captured the perpetrator, significantly aiding the NYPD investigation,” the MTA said.
