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Teen busted in alleged Queens subway joyride — NYPD says her accomplice is still on the loose
By
Brittany Kriegstein
Published Sep 19, 2024
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By
Brittany Kriegstein
Published Sep 19, 2024
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Police arrested a 17-year-old girl on Wednesday for allegedly breaking into an empty subway train in Queens, grabbing the controls and crashing it into another train.
Officials said the brief underground joyride took place around midnight last Thursday at the Briarwood station.
The teen and a male accomplice allegedly entered the empty subway train and grabbed the controls, driving the train until it crashed, police said. Officials could not immediately say what train line was involved, or how the two got access to an empty car.
At a press conference Wednesday, New York City Transit Interim President Demetrius Crichlow said the duo were able to move the train about 50 feet before they crashed. He did not address exactly how they were able to get in.
The two fled on foot, and police said no one was injured– though the train sustained some damage.
The teenage girl, who police said was clad in a pink shower cap, a pink sleeveless shirt, pink shorts and was carrying a pink handbag at the time of the stunt, was charged with criminal mischief and reckless endangerment. Her name has not been released because she is a minor.
Her accomplice has not yet been caught. Police said he was last seen wearing a blue tank top, red shorts, and was carrying a black backpack.
“There's no question it was an extremely foolish and reckless act of two individuals accessing a live track in order to get access to our train,” Crichlow said.
Crichlow said the surveillance cameras in the train car had allowed police to get good photos of both individuals involved.
“We’re confident that they will get the people, the perpetrators in this case,” he said.
This is a developing story and may be updated.
Tagged
nypd
public safety
transportation
queens
Brittany Kriegstein
Brittany Kriegstein covers all breaking news around New York City, with a focus on crime and gun violence. Got a tip? Email Brittany at [email protected].
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