Two teenagers have been arrested after they have been allegedly seen on surveillance digital camera as a part of a gaggle that stole a subway practice in Queens and took it for a joyride, in accordance with police.
The brazen theft befell simply earlier than 10:30 p.m. on Jan. 25 close to the 71st Avenue station in Forest Hills alongside the E/F/M/R traces, in accordance with the NYPD. Officers initially responded to stories of vandalism, however have been met by an MTA worker who reported a number of individuals boarded the unoccupied R practice after which took it on a joyride for a brief distance.
The people broken a few of the practice’s cameras by putting markings on them, in accordance with police, who later launched video exhibiting the suspects. There have been believed to be six individuals sought by police in all.
On Monday, police confirmed that two teen boys, a 15-year-old and a 17-year-old, had been arrested in connection to the incident. Each have been charged with reckless endangerment, legal mischief, and trespassing; the youthful teen was additionally charged with possession of housebreaking instruments. It was not instantly clear whether or not the teenagers had employed attorneys.
“Breaking into and moving subway cars is dangerous, illegal, and will not be tolerated. We thank the NYPD for capturing these perpetrators who not only put their own lives at risk but also riders and transit workers,” stated NYC Transit President Demetrius Crichlow. “Those hooligan games cannot happen, and that’s why we’ve stepped up security at key transit locations and are actively exploring new technologies to prevent access and control of the operator’s cab.”
The MTA stated it was working with police to establish and discover these answerable for swiping the R practice. NBC New York’s Charles Watson stories.
Some riders have questioned the MTA’s safety after plenty of regarding incidents, together with one in September during which police alleged two suspects entered the Briarwood subway station and stole a practice on the E/F line. The kids in that incident have been arrested after allegedly crashing the practice.
In a Dec. 2023 incident, a number of suspects swiped two trains in Forest Hills and took them on a joyride earlier than ditching the locomotives.
An investigation stays ongoing.
