Woman Dragged Onto Subway Tracks: Watch Video Released By Police, Suspect Arrested

Philadelphia News, Weather and Sports from WTXF FOX 29

The shocking surveillance video of a woman dragged onto subway tracks after a beating by a man has finally been released.

Police say William Clark assaulted Alexis Wilson at the 8th and Race subway stop in Philadelphia's Chinatown.

"Police say the suspect asked her for a lighter, which she gave to him. After waiting a few seconds, Clark allegedly grabbed her by the neck and repeatedly punched the woman in the face," reports ABC News.

"Clark proceeded to drag Wilson by her feet across the train station platform toward the tracks, police said. After he tossed her into the tracks, the suspect casually walked back to the train station bench and snatched her cellphone, police said. Wilson climbed back onto the platform."

"By the time I zipped my jacket back up, that's when he was on me, on my neck," said Wilson. "I was just telling him, 'I don't have no money,' and he was just like, 'Shut up.'"

"I started trying to fight him back as much as I could," she said. "After it was over, the first thing that popped in my head was my son."

Fortunately, no train entered the station before Wilson climbed off the tracks.

"Thank God she wasn't knocked unconscious in that track area," said Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority Police Chief Thomas Nestell.

"I am so happy that a train didn't come on either side, because I don't know what would have happened then," said Wilson.

Police made the unconventional decision not to release photos and video of the suspect immediately.

"He had a very distinct jacket and it was so distinct that we were trying to keep it within law enforcement circles because it was our best lead," Nestel said. "It was my decision, and I have to tell you, it's not an easy decision to make,"

Police arrested Clark on Thursday, still wearing the same jacket from Tuesday's assault.

"Transit Police SGT Nicole Lawson is the hero of the day!" tweeted Nestel afterward. "She caught the man who beat, robbed and threw a woman onto the tracks. Nice work!"

This is a happier ending than most recent subway track pushings. In December, two men were pushed onto subway tracks and killed in New York City in separate incidents.

One man was likely involved in a drunken altercation with a homeless man. The other was an Indian-American who was mistaken for a Muslim by a woman with mental issues in what appears to be a hate crime.