![items.[0].image.alt](https://ewscripps.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/9894132/2147483647/strip/true/crop/1920x1080+0+0/resize/1280x720!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fewscripps.brightspotcdn.com%2F90%2Fce%2Fab2ac3994fda9dd641660d1f8b9f%2Funtitled-design-6.jpg)
NEW YORK — Police are searching for a man who tried to drag another man off the subway in Manhattan on Sunday while accusing him of having coronavirus, according to the NYPD.
The incident took place around 5:30 a.m. on a northbound No. 4 train between 33rd Street and 59th Street-Lexington Avenue, police said.
The suspect grabbed the 30-year-old victim by the wrist and shoulder and tried to remove him from the train while making anti-Asian statements and accusing him of being infected with COVID-19, according to the NYPD. The suspect ran off the train at 59th Street-Lexington Avenue, police said.
The victim refused medical attention at the scene, according to cops.
The NYPD Hate Crimes Task Force is investigating the attack.
Reported hate crimes targeting the Asian community in New York City have spiked since the coronavirus outbreak began, with over 13 incidents investigated since March.
NYPD Deputy Inspector Mark Molinari recently told PIX11 News the police department is also concerned that coronavirus-related attacks are being under reported.
Submit tips to police by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477), visiting www.nypdcrimestoppers.com, downloading the NYPD Crime Stoppers mobile app, or texting 274637 (CRIMES) then entering TIP577. Spanish-speaking callers are asked to dial 1-888-57-PISTA (74782).
