A career criminal with more than a dozen prior arrests was busted early Friday for flashing a box cutter during an attempted robbery on a Lower Manhattan train — just days after he was cut loose following a similar crime on the rails, sources and prosecutors said.
Rakeem Washington, 38, was nabbed just before 3 a.m. Friday for flashing a box cutter at a 56-year-old man on board a southbound No. 4 train and snarling “Give me your money,” law enforcement sources said.
When the victim refused to fork over any dough, Washington allegedly grabbed him by the coat, sparking an argument, sources said.
The conductor called for police and Washington was arrested as soon as the victim pointed him out, cops and sources said.
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Washington was previously cuffed on Monday for allegedly snatching another rider’s phone on board a No. 6 train in Lower Manhattan heading uptown, sources said.
He initially asked the 23-year-old commuter for $200, and grabbed the phone when he refused, according to the sources.