A robbery inside a subway station nearly turned deadly yesterday when the suspect and victim fell into the active railway during a struggle, Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel F. Conley said.

JOSEPH McCLOSKEY (D.O.B. 8/12/70) was arraigned this morning in the Boston Municipal Court on charges of unarmed robbery, assault and battery, and obstructing a railway track.

Citing McCloskey’s extensive out-of-state record for violent offenses in New Jersey and Pennsylvania, Assistant District Attorney David Givskud recommended that he be held on $25,000 cash bail; Judge Eleanor Sinnott set bail at $5,000.

Givskud told the court that McCloskey was on the southbound Orange Line platform at Downtown Crossing when he reached into the jacket pocket of a 32-year-old Arlington man and stole a handful of bills before running toward a stairway.

The victim pursued McCloskey, who allegedly turned, threw a punch at his face, and pushed him. Both McCloskey and the victim fell into the track area.

MBTA officials immediately cut power to the third rail, briefly suspending service.

Boston Police and MBTA Transit Police responded to the scene within minutes to apprehend McCloskey and check the victim’s condition. McCloskey suffered superficial cuts and bruises in the fall; the victim declined medical attention.

McCloskey was represented by attorney John Russell. He will return to court on Jan. 19.