Nov. 29, 2023 By Bill Parry
Police from the 110th Precinct in Elmhurst and Transit District 20 are looking for the three teenage boys who allegedly threw ice at an on-duty MTA subway conductor as she was operating the train doors at the Woodhaven Boulevard subway station during the afternoon of Saturday, Nov. 18.
Police say the three boys threw ice at her, striking her in the face before running out of the station in an unknown direction, police said. The 49-year-old victim sustained minor injuries and EMS transported her to NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Queens in stable condition.
The NYPD released surveillance video and images of the three suspects as they exited the station apparently laughing about the assault.
“It is unconscionable that anyone would assault a transit worker who was just doing her job, and ludicrously laugh about it afterward,” NYC Transit President Richard Davey said. “The NYPD are investigating, with support from our extensive camera network, and are identifying suspects who will be caught and face justice.”
If and when they are caught, the youngsters, and their parents, will learn that their stunt could have life-changing ramification.
Last year, Governor Kathy Hochul signed the Transit Workers Assault bill into law protecting more than 11,000 MTA workers and prosecuting those who attack transit workers with sentences up to seven years in prison. The bill makes it a second-degree felony to assault a transit worker.
State Sen. Joseph Addabbo cited an MTA security report that states 110 transit workers were assaulted in the first eight months of 2023, a 39% increase over the same period last year, according to CBS News.
“This was not an innocent prank. Such reckless behavior could have resulted in serious injuries,” Addabbo said. “This incident has raised serious concerns about the safety of our public transportation workers and the potential consequences of such thoughtless actions. It is imperative that we denounce these acts of misconduct and work towards ensuring the safety and security of our public servants who serve our communities.”
The NYPD released surveillance images that show one suspect had a Razor Scooter and wore a black winter jacket. The second teen wore a black winter jacket and black backpack and the third suspect wore a black winter jacket over a black hooded sweatshirt.
Anyone with information is asked to call the NYPD’s Crime Stoppers Hotline at-800-577-TIPS.
Through Nov. 26, the 110th Precinct has reported 676 assaults so far in 2023, 191 more than the 485 reported at the same point last year, an increase of 39.4%, according to the most recent CompStat report.