New York police have arrested two 17-year-olds, a girl and a boy, suspected of joyriding and crashing an empty subway train. The teens face charges of criminal mischief and reckless endangerment after allegedly entering and operating the train, causing a collision before fleeing on foot. The incident occurred just after midnight on September 12 at Briarwood station in Queens. Fortunately, no injuries were reported.
The pair reportedly managed to drive the train about 50 feet (15 meters), though it’s unclear how they gained access or knew how to operate it. Demetrius Crichlow, the interim president of the New York City Transit Authority, called the joyride “an extremely foolish and reckless act.” In response, security cameras are being “aggressively” installed to prevent similar incidents.
Surveillance footage released by the police shows one of the suspects dressed in pink, including what appears to be a shower cap. A similar incident occurred in January at the Forest Hills-71st Avenue station, also in Queens, where a stolen key was believed to have been used. Authorities have reassured the public that the train was never in danger of reaching active tracks.
