Man Accused of Dragging Woman Onto Subway Tracks

Jan. 18, 2013— -- Philadelphia police said they have arrested the suspect caught on surveillance video attacking and dragging a woman across a train station platform before throwing her onto the tracks.

The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) arrested William Clark at about 2:30 p.m. Thursday, 48 hours after he allegedly attacked the 23-year-old woman on a subway platform in the Chinatown section of Philadelphia.

Police plan to charge Clark, 36, with aggravated assault, leaving Alexis Wilson with minor injuries.

"Thank God she wasn't knocked unconscious in that track area," SEPTA Police Chief Thomas Nestell said in a news conference Thursday.

Police say Clark walked up to Wilson, who was sitting and waiting for a train Tuesday at about 3:20 p.m. 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.

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.

When Clark was arrested Thursday he was wearing the same multicolored jacket that was observed in the surveillance video. The jacket had the words, "Trump Taj Mahal Casino Resorts," according to police.

"A sergeant from the transit police observed this individual and he was apprehended still in possession of the victim's phone and wearing that jacket, police chief Nestell said.

Police said they have not identified a motive.