Man Arrested After Throwing Woman Onto SEPTA Tracks

Police say surveillance video shows a man approach a woman at a SEPTA station, assault her and then throw her onto the tracks.

According to SEPTA, the woman was sitting Tuesday just after 3 p.m. at the Chinatown stop's northbound platform on Race Street along the Broad Ridge-Spur subway line.

Surveillance video, released Thursday by SEPTA, shows a man approach the woman. Police say he asked for a lighter.

Once he had that lighter, he attacked the woman, throwing her onto the tracks (see the surveillance footage in the second video clip above).

The man took her cell phone, which had fallen out of her pocket and onto the ground, and is then seen on surveillance video leaving, SEPTA police said.

Cameras got a good look at the suspect. But police say they have a good reason why they didn't release a description to the public right away.

"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," SEPTA Transit Police Chief Thomas Nestel said.

Police say it worked. An officer saw a man in that "Trump Taj Mahal Casino Resorts" jacket with the victim's cell phone Thursday afternoon at another transit stop in Center City.

William Clark, 36, whose last known address was on the 1300 block of Fitzwater Street in Philadelphia, was arrested and now faces several charges.

Police said Clark has previously been arrested on charges that included burglary, retail theft, robbery and stolen auto.

The victim suffered minor injuries to her head and face but is doing fine.