Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Cops Search For Masturbating L Train Rider Who Followed 14-Year-Old Girl
By
Jen Chung
Published Feb 17, 2017
Modified Feb 17, 2017
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 .
Wikipedia
By
Jen Chung
Published Feb 17, 2017
Modified Feb 17, 2017
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 asking the public to help them track down a man accused of masturbating in the subway, then following a teenage girl off the train at the next stop.
The incident occurred on Monday, February 6th, at 1 p.m. According to the NYPD, the victim, a 14-year-old girl, boarded an L train at the Union Square subway station and saw the man masturbating. When she got off the train at the next stop (6th Avenue) the man followed her to the mezzanine level. Fortunately, he gave up his pursuit and she left the station physically unharmed. Police say the man then got on another train "to parts unknown."
The suspect, who is wanted for public lewdness, is described as being around 35 years old, 5'5"-5-6" tall and 140-150 pounds with a medium build and a goatee. He was last seen wearing a black coat with fur on the collar. Police also released surveillance footage of him:
Anyone with information in regards to this incident is asked to call the NYPD's Crime Stoppers Hotline at 800-577-TIPS 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 texting their tips to 274637(CRIMES) then enter TIP577.
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
l train
public lewdness
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
MTA suspending bus fare enforcement teams after altercations emerge
MTA Chair Janno Lieber said he needed to confirm protocols are being followed.
By
Ramsey Khalifeh
Published Oct 22, 2026 at 12:50 p.m. ET
NYC's horse carriage industry facing potential extinction with Thursday Council vote
The mayor and City Council struck a deal to end the practice after years of protest.
By
Catalina Gonella
News
NYC's horse carriage industry facing potential extinction with Thursday Council vote
The mayor and City Council struck a deal to end the practice after years of protest.
By
Catalina Gonella
Jersey City housing development deal expected to send money to schools, city government
By
Michael Sol Warren
The divide among Mamdani allies over reforming the NYPD
By
Elizabeth Kim
How NY Gov. Hochul, Bruce Blakeman would tackle rising electric, heat bills
By
Jon Campbell
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 .