Suspect Charged In Hate Crime Attack At NYC Station: DA

NEW YORK CITY — A 35-year-old man has been arrested and charged in connection with a hate crime attack in a Manhattan subway station last month, prosecutors announced.

Andre Cheeves is accused of attacking a 51-year-old man with a metal bike chain while making anti-Hispanic remarks at the Fulton Street subway station on June 27, prosecutors said.

The suspect has been charged with attempted assault, criminal possession of a weapon, menacing and aggravated harassment.

According to court documents, the victim was waiting for his train on the northbound 4 and 5 train platform at the Fulton Street station when Cheeves demanded him to 'return' his phone.

The 51-year-old, who did not know the suspect and was not in possession of the phone, started backing away from him, prosecutors said.

Cheeves began swinging the metal bike chain at him while allegedly yelling racist remarks, including stating, in substance, “f— Hispanics,” several times.

The suspect chased the victim out of the station, while holding the chain. The victim flagged down nearby police officers, who arrested Cheeves.

"Andre Cheeves allegedly tried to hit a stranger with a heavy chain in an unprovoked hate crime inside a subway station,” District Attorney Alvin Bragg. “Targeting and harming Manhattanites based on their race is abhorrent and will not be tolerated."

Cheeves' next court appearance in the case is scheduled for Oct. 15.