NY metro mugger wields power saws

Attacks were once a regular occurrence on New York's subway

A passenger on New York's subway system has been attacked and injured by a man wielding two hand-held power saws.

Michael Steinberg, 64, described how his assailant looked straight at him before launching an unprovoked attack and demanding money.

"I think he was out of his mind. He was trying to cut right through me," Mr Steinberg said from hospital.

New York police arrested Tareyton Williams, 33, on suspicion of attempted murder hours after the attack.

Weapons abandoned

The attacker apparently picked up the power saws - compact hand-held tools more suitable for home use than tree felling - from a nearby maintenance trolley.

Police said he tried to assault another passenger with a wild swipe but missed.

He then turned on Mr Steinberg, a postal worker, as he tried to swipe his subway pass to enter the system.

"He looked at me and before I knew it, he was attacking me," Mr Steinberg told the Associated Press.

"I screamed for help: 'Please help! Please help me!'"

Mr Steinberg was treated at the scene, at the subway station at 110th Street and Broadway, before being taken to hospital, police said.

The two power saws were later found dumped in a nearby rubbish bin.