Man jumps Staten Island Rail Road turnstile and attacks MTA officer, authorities say

STATEN ISLAND, NEW YORK. A 20-year-old man became violent with an MTA police officer after he tried to avoid paying a Staten Island Rail Road fare at the St. George terminal, authorities say.

Zavion Mitchell, of Gordon Street in Stapleton, was caught jumping a terminal turnstile while trying to board a train on Oct. 22 at about 6 p.m. during the Tuesday night rush hour, according to a criminal complaint and MTA police.

As the uniformed officer attempted to handcuff Mitchell, the defendant allegedly resisted arrest by flailing his arms and straining his body. Mitchell pushed the officer and then put his arms around the officer’s neck, the complaint said.