In a bizarre and alarming turn of events, the NYPD is investigating the theft of an R subway train in New York City after three unidentified individuals commandeered it for a joyride late Saturday evening. The audacious stunt, which was shared on social media, has shocked city officials and sparked questions about transit security.
The Incident Unfolds
The theft occurred at the 71st Avenue Station in Queens, where the train had been parked on a layup track, typically used to store trains when they are not in service. According to the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), the train was secured and unattended. However, when workers returned, they discovered it had been moved, though it was returned to a location near where it was initially parked.
The trio reportedly accessed the train using transit keys, which allowed them to bypass the locked doors. Video footage posted online shows one individual operating the controls inside the conductor’s cabin while another dangled their legs out of the front door, and a third person stood behind them. The train was operated at high speeds, with the group passing through at least one local station and a signal on the express tracks.
Social Media Clues and Vandalism
The suspects, dressed in all black with matching masks, brazenly documented their escapade on Instagram. In one clip, they can be heard yelling, “Cover your faces!” to avoid being identified. Authorities are using the videos to gather clues about their identities. Despite their efforts to obscure surveillance cameras with black marker, the footage they posted online provides valuable evidence.
The train was not only taken for a joyride but also vandalized, with numerous windows broken during the incident. After being recovered, the R train was transported to the Jamaica train yard for analysis, where investigators are examining its “black box” data to determine how far and for how long it was driven.
A Growing Trend of Subway Theft
This incident is not an isolated case. Similar thefts have occurred in recent years, raising concerns about unauthorized access to transit vehicles. In September, two teenagers attempted to operate a train in Queens, only to crash it into another parked car. Last year, another R train was stolen from the Forest Hills/71st Avenue station and moved to storage tracks without causing injuries.
Transit advocates are urging the MTA to tighten security protocols to prevent further incidents. The use of transit keys and the ability to access trains when unattended have become significant vulnerabilities in the system.
Public Safety Concerns
The incident has been classified as reckless endangerment by the NYPD, as the joyride posed a significant threat to public safety. The thieves not only endangered themselves but potentially other trains and passengers as they operated the train without proper knowledge or training.
Authorities also suspect that the trio may have passed another in-service train during their ride. In one video clip, a thief shouts “Train!” before another checks the radio, seemingly to determine if their unauthorized activity had been noticed.
The Investigation
Police responded to the Jamaica train yard after receiving reports about the theft on Sunday night. While no arrests have been made yet, the NYPD is actively working with the MTA to identify the culprits. Investigators are urging anyone with information about the incident to contact the NYPD Crime Stoppers hotline.
Transit Security Under Scrutiny
This incident has reignited debates about the security of New York City’s transit system. Critics argue that more robust measures are needed to safeguard layup tracks and ensure that trains are inaccessible when not in use. The MTA has assured the public that it is cooperating fully with law enforcement to investigate the matter and prevent future incidents. Anyone with information is asked to call the NYPD’s Crime Stoppers hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477)
