The man who allegedly shot a straphanger during an attempted mugging in the Union Square subway station was arrested Tuesday when he robbed a bank and returned to that station — wearing the same shoes, authorities and law enforcement sources said.
The suspect was nabbed on a southbound R train with three loaded firearms “nestled in the amount of $100 bills,” NYPD Chief of Transit Kathleen O’Reilly said at a press conference.
Detectives monitoring a robbery at a Chase Bank on West 28th Street and Seventh Avenue noticed the description of the suspect matched that of the gunman wanted in Monday afternoon’s shooting.
“[The NYPD] transmitted pictures of those shoes,” O’Reilly said, adding the black and green sneakers were “readily identifiable and very easy for our officers to spot.”
The suspect, she said, was “very foolish” for wearing the same kicks.
Cops “methodically began to check each train car” and found the man, who “appeared calm and did not resist.”
Police later identified the suspect as Damon Bailey, 38.
He was charged Tuesday night with robbery and criminal possession of a weapon, cops said, and is expected to face additional federal charges for his alleged multi-day crime spree.
Police believe Bailey flashed a weapon in the Midtown Chase branch and demanded cash from a teller before fleeing south on Seventh Avenue, O’Reilly said.
It’s unclear how much he allegedly robbed. Police sources said he had about $900 on him when he was nabbed, as well as two pistols and a revolver.
The suspect’s modus operandi on Tuesday afternoon was nearly identical to his alleged actions the day before.
Police said the alleged gunman made off with $1,100 from a TD Bank on Canal Street near Lafayette Street — some 10 minutes before he shot someone during an attempted robbery in the Union Square station.
The attack occurred on an uptown N train shortly before 5 p.m. when Bailey allegedly demanded the 42-year-old victim’s cell phone, and shot him in the left leg when he took too long handing it over.
Police described the suspect as 5-foot-9, wearing a black leather jacket, black pants and carrying a duffle bag and a black revolver.
The victim suffered non-life-threatening wounds and was taken to Bellevue Hospital in stable condition.
Police on Tuesday said the suspect is also believed to have robbed a bodega on Sunday.
“Investigations into other possible incidents are underway,” O’Reilly said.
“It’s disturbing to say the least,” she added, “but I can assure you our transit officers are deployed in the right places at the right time.”
Additional reporting by Joe Marino
