MTA Worker Assault Suspect View Full Caption DCPI

MORRIS HEIGHTS — An NYPD officer was in custody Thursday for putting a female MTA employee in a bear hug and choking her late last month, NYPD officials said.

The department's Internal Affairs Bureau is investigating the officer for the Dec. 23 attack on the uniformed MTA worker at the Tremont Avenue D train station in the Bronx.

He has not been charged with the crime as of Thursday afternoon and DNAinfo is withholding his name until charges are filed.

The officer declined to comment Thursday, as did a spokesman for the Patrolmen's Benevolent Association.

On Tuesday police released video of the man who they said approached the 28-year-old woman from behind and swept her up in the bear hug. He then shoved her to the platform and choked her, police said.

The man fled, leaving the woman with minor injuries to her head, neck and back. She was treated at a nearby hospital.

The motive for the attack was not clear.