A disturbing incident occurred in a Midtown subway station this week when a man with a history of arrests, including hate crime attacks, randomly shoved a 70-year-old grandmother against a wall. The suspect, Sherlock Arana, 37, of the Bronx, allegedly targeted Janet Parvizyar, 70, as she was visiting New York City from Los Angeles.
Parvizyar, who was enjoying the last days of her trip, was walking in the Lexington Ave/53rd Street station when Arana pushed her into a wall, causing her to hit her head and fall to the ground. The senseless attack left Parvizyar shocked and confused, as she couldn’t comprehend why she was targeted.
Arana has a troubling criminal history, with nearly 20 prior arrests, including a hate crime assault charge for attacking two women in Queens subway stations because he thought they were of Indian descent. The most recent arrest before this incident was in 2023 for robbery.
Fortunately, eagle-eyed cops recognized Arana from a “Wanted” flyer and apprehended him at the Lexington Avenue-125th Street subway station. They also found a knife in his possession during the arrest. Arana was charged with assault and harassment in the second degree.
Parvizyar, who is Iranian, speculated that Arana may have mistaken her for an Indian woman due to his history of targeting individuals of Indian descent. She expressed relief at the arrest, hoping to prevent similar incidents from happening to others.
The attack has left Parvizyar hesitant to return to New York City and ride the subway, as the random and unprovoked nature of the assault has instilled fear in her. She emphasized the unexpected and unusual nature of the attack, noting that such incidents are not common in Los Angeles.
The arrest of Arana brings a sense of closure to Parvizyar, who is back home in Los Angeles but remains cautious and wary of similar encounters. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of vigilance and safety while navigating public spaces, especially in a bustling city like New York.
