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'I Want This Guy Caught': L Train Rider Witnesses Man Exposing Himself & Masturbating
By
Jen Chung
Published Feb 3, 2017
Modified Feb 3, 2017
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By
Jen Chung
Published Feb 3, 2017
Modified Feb 3, 2017
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An L train rider was subjected to the sight of a man exposing himself and then masturbating on a Brooklyn subway on Tuesday night. The revolted witness took photographs of the man and told us, "I want this guy caught. I feel violated and disgusted and want to put this man on blast in hopes someone will recognize him and turn him in." Now the NYPD has officially asked for the public's help in identifying him.
The incident occurred on Tuesday night, January 31, just before 10 p.m., on a Brooklyn-bound L train at Atlantic Avenue. The NYPD says, "the individual sat across from the 30 year-old female victim, exposed his genitals and masturbated."
The victim shared another, more explicit photograph with us, showing the man's penis. She said, "I was on the train with about 4-5 other people but [on that] side of the train I was on was just me by myself." The pervert got off the train "before I did," she said, which relieved her. "I was concerned that if the people on the train with me had left, it could have been a much worse situation."
When she got off at her stop, the woman recalled, "I reported it to the conductor and was then taken to the transit police for further assistance where I was able to provide my statement to the police." She explained that the "shame and feeling of being violated" prompted her to speak directly with the police, but she also thinks "it's great that there are other ways to report" vile incidents of this nature, like the MTA's website.
She added,
I am very upset about it not as the victim but as a woman. I hate that I have to be so guarded constantly because of how society just contributes to these and worse type of crimes. I am a strong advocate for women and that is why I think these crimes need to be blasted. This is not okay for a woman or just another person to have to witness...
I am a daily reader of Gothamist and it was because of all the previous articles about these types of crimes that during my moment of crisis I was able to remain calm and thought about gathering pictures and video to provide the police...
I truly hope that they find this guy because this is just not appropriate behavior. I should be able to feel safe on my way home from work/school/life.
Authorities describe the suspect as 45-55 years old and 6'1", with a large backpack and sunglasses. He was last seen wearing a dark colored coat, black pants, black boots, a gray knit cap and a multi-colored scarf around his neck.
Anyone with information in regards to this incident is asked to call the NYPD's Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or for Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782). The public can also submit their tips by logging onto the Crime stoppers website at WWW.NYPDCRIMESTOPPERS.COM or by texting their tips to 274637 (CRIMES) then enter TIP577. All calls are strictly confidential.
If you see or experience sexual misconduct in the subway (this includes seeing a masturbator, being groped, being grinded on, etc.), you can report it to the MTA and police on this website. There's also a place for you to upload photos and/or video. Don't let the perverts win.
Tagged
crime
l train
masturbator
public lewdness
subway
subway pervert
Jen Chung
Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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