As part of ongoing investigations related to the theft and subsequent collision of an out-of-service New York City subway train, law enforcement officials apprehended a 17-year-old female last week. The juvenile’s identity has not been revealed due to her age. The New York Police Department promptly pressed charges, which included first-degree criminal mischief as well as first-degree reckless endangerment. Law enforcement also indicated that the search for another perpetrator involved in this audacious act continues.
According to the police, the apprehended youth is suspected to be the individual seen in a bright all-pink ensemble – featuring even a pink shower cap – in the security footage. Meanwhile, the hunt for an additional suspect remains underway. This entire chain of events transpired while police forces were amplifying their present within the USA’s most extensive subway system to curb a growing crime epidemic.
Increasing concerns about the security of subway commuters have led New York Gov. Kathy Hochul to employ National Guard personnel as part of a comprehensive five-point safety plan. Commenting on the incident, Demetrius Crichlow, the acting president of the NYC Transit, condemned the reckless actions of the perpetrators, stating their infiltration into an active track to steal a train was not just thoughtless, but also perilous.
The unexpected theft coincided with the announcement of an ambitious five-year capital development plan worth $68.4 billion. Proposed for the century-old Metropolitan Transit Authority system, the plan aims to meet modern-day requirements and enhance overall service quality. Meanwhile, in the ongoing subway train theft case, the second suspect, a male, remains elusive.
The unidentified male suspect, as per the police reports, possesses a slim frame and a light complexion. Last seen in an azure tank top, crimson shorts, and a black backpack, he disappeared from the scene following the crash. Officers are diligently working to apprehend him for his involvement in the subway scandal.
Details gleaned from the NYPD’s report reveal that the suspected duo – a man and a woman – executed the theft shortly after midnight on Sept. 12. They pilfered an unattended, out-of-service train stationed at the Briarwood subway station in Queens, which they subsequently crashed, causing material damage.
As stated in the NYPD’s incident data, the pair took possession of the vacant train and led it into an accidental collision that severely damaged the vehicle. Incredibly, no individuals suffered any harm during this incident. After the crash event, the perpetrators evaded the scene swiftly, maneuvering on foot.
According to Crichlow, the stolen train shifted approximately 50 feet during the burglary. The police were successful in capturing the entire heist on numerous surveillance cameras about the Briarwood station, giving them a clear chronicle of the risky escapade.
Authorities were able to glean a description of the female perpetrator – a woman with an average build and complexion – from the footage. Crichlow revealed that the MTA has been dedicated to implementing surveillance equipment across all subway carriages, a move that has now covered about 70% of the total fleet.
The collected video footage, which offers a flawless recount of the incident, has been forwarded to law enforcement officers. Crichlow expressed confidence in the evidence, believing that it will significantly aid in the arrest of the culprits.
Furthermore, it was highlighted by the NYC Transit authority that they are collaborating with the NYPD to engineer robust locks aiming to prevent unauthorized access to train operator compartments. Crichlow affirmed the design is ready; the execution requires merely the acquisition of the necessary components and kick-starting installations.
A similar theft took place recently, marking it the second occurrence within eight months. On Dec. 30, 2023, an assembly of individuals stole two dormant trains from the restricted zone near the Forest Hills-71st Avenue subway station in Queens. The thieves drove the lead trains of both sets for short distances heading northbound.
The recurrent thefts and the 45% annual surge in NYC transit crime led Hochul to dispatch an additional 1,000 state employees in January, inclusive of 250 state police and MTA Police members, to assist the NYPD with intensified luggage inspections at subway system’s high-traffic areas.
In an intense attempt to ensure commuter safety, Hochul instructed the New York National Guard to make available 750 members from the Joint Task Force Empire Shield, part of the effort to check subway riders’ baggage for weapons.
However, as per the latest crime data from the NYPD, transit-related crime rates have witnessed a decrease and are currently down by 5.4% compared to the same period in 2023.