Panhandler allegedly threatened to kill Asian straphanger in robbery attempt

Police are searching for a panhandler who allegedly threatened to kill an Asian straphanger during a robbery attempt.

The NYPD released photos of the panhandler, who approached the victim, 24, and asked, “You are Chinese, aren’t you?” on a northbound subway as it approached West 34th Street and the Avenue of the Americas stop about 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, police said. The angry suspect then allegedly threatened the victim and tried to grab his cellphone and bag, said police, who are investigating the incident as a hate crime.