Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Alleged Subway Station Masturbator Threatens Rider With Gun
By
Jen Chung
Published Oct 21, 2015
Modified Oct 21, 2015
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Jen Chung
Published Oct 21, 2015
Modified Oct 21, 2015
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Police are looking for a man accused of masturbating at a Midtown subway station—and then flashing a gun at someone who tried to record him.
According to the NYPD, this happened on Monday, October 19th, at 11:56 p.m.: A 38-year-old woman was on the southbound platform of the 5th Avenue N/R station "when she heard a hissing noise beside her. When she looked to see what the noise was, she observed the suspect manipulating his penis outside of his pants."
Police say that when the suspect began to leave, the woman began to cry. A man asked her what was wrong, and she explained what happened—prompting the man to take out his cellphone and follow the suspect and film him.
As he reached the exit, the suspect allegedly "pulled out a black handgun, pointed [it at the man]" and told him to mind his own business."
There were no reported injuries. The police released the cellphone footage, showing a man with a mustache wearing a grey suit:
Midtown North Criminal Menacingby Gothamist
Anyone with information in regards to this incident is asked to call the NYPD's Crime Stoppers Hotline at 800-577-TIPS. The public can also submit their tips by logging onto the Crime Stoppers Website at WWW.NYPDCRIMESTOPPERS.COM or texting their tips to 274637(CRIMES) then enter TIP577.
If you see someone masturbating, flashing or committing other indecent acts, the MTA's website has a place for riders to report subway misconduct and even a place for riders to submit images. Reporting subway masturbators is important, but also consider your safety.
Tagged
gun criminal menacing
manhattan
subway pervert
Jen Chung
Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Inside the luxury Greenpoint high-rise powered by a rumbling generator for over a month
The fallout from an electrical fire, among other safety and maintenance concerns, has sparked anger inside the 40-story tower known as The Greenpoint.
By
David Brand
Published Oct 12, 2026 at 6:30 a.m. ET
Mayor Mamdani orders review of NYPD use of force policies
The announcement comes as Mamdani faces mounting criticism from the left for his approach to policing.
By
Michael Sol Warren
News
Mayor Mamdani orders review of NYPD use of force policies
The announcement comes as Mamdani faces mounting criticism from the left for his approach to policing.
By
Michael Sol Warren
Company that won $23M NYPD building contract was investigated by LI watchdog
By
Ben Feuerherd
Plainclothes ICE agent with long gun looked like mass shooter, Mayor Mamdani says
By
Michael Sol Warren
NJ Transit riders face 5 weeks of schedule disruptions starting Sunday
By
Giulia Heyward
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .