NYPD busts Brooklyn subway rider suspected of punching elderly man in fight over seat

A subway rider suspected of punching a 72-year-old man in a squabble over a train seat has been arrested, police said Saturday.

Alexander Santiago was identified as the bald man who had put his backpack on a seat, sparking an argument with his victim on a Bay Ridge-bound R-train during rush hour Wednesday morning.

Members of the NYPD Warrants Squad grabbed Santiago, 32, Friday morning, just a few hours after police released surveillance footage of him leaving the 25th St. station after the attack.

He was charged with harassment and second-degree assault in which a victim over age 65 was injured, cops said. He was released without bail following a brief arraignment proceeding Saturday morning, according to court papers.

The victim got on the subway train at Court St. in downtown Brooklyn at about 9:15 a.m. and began arguing with Santiago as the train rolled into the Atlantic Ave. station, cops said.

Santiago had put his backpack on an empty seat that could have been used by another rider, causing the clash, cops said.

The argument continued on and off for several stops when, at the 25th St. station in Sunset Park, Santiago lunged at the senior, punching him in the head, cops said.

He disembarked the train moments after punching the victim.  The victim refused medical attention.

Cops recovered surveillance footage of Santiago, carrying a large backpack, as he left the station. Early Friday, they publicized the images, asking for help in locating him.