Maniac with 20 prior arrests busted in random attack on L.A. grandma, 70, in NYC subway station: sources

A 37-year-old man with a long criminal history was arrested for shoving a 70-year-old woman in a New York City subway station this week. The victim, Janet Parvizyar, was visiting from Los Angeles when she was attacked by Sherlock Arana at the Lexington Ave/53rd Street station on Monday morning.

Arana, who has 20 prior arrests, including hate crime attacks on two women in the past, pushed Parvizyar against a wall, causing her to hit her head and fall to the ground. The attack left Parvizyar shocked and confused, as she did not expect such violence during her trip to the city.

The suspect, who was previously convicted of assaulting two women he believed to be of Indian descent, was spotted by police at the Lexington Avenue-125th Street subway station on Wednesday morning. He was recognized from a wanted flyer and was found in possession of a knife at the time of his arrest.

Parvizyar, who is of Iranian descent, speculated that Arana may have mistaken her for an Indian woman due to his previous hate crime convictions. She was taken to NYU Langone Medical Center for injuries to her head and neck following the attack.

Despite the arrest, Parvizyar expressed fear and reluctance to return to New York City and ride the subway again. She emphasized the need for authorities to take action against repeat offenders like Arana to prevent similar incidents from happening in the future.

Overall, the incident serves as a reminder of the importance of public safety and the need for vigilance when traveling in crowded places. It also highlights the impact of hate crimes and the lasting trauma they can inflict on victims.