While New York City officials continue to praise recent drops in crime statistics, a pair of deeply disturbing incidents on the city’s subway system have sparked serious concern about public safety—especially in the early morning hours when trains are often nearly empty.
Shocking Incident on the 1 Train Raises Alarm
In the early hours of Saturday morning, around 4:15 a.m., a horrifying event unfolded on a northbound 1 train near the Christopher Street station.
Police say a 27-year-old man was assaulted by an unknown individual who had been asking for money.
According to NYPD statements, the assailant made threatening and inappropriate remarks before allegedly forcing the victim into a non-consensual act.
The train was reportedly empty at the time aside from the victim and the suspect.
After the assault, surveillance footage shows the man calmly exiting the train while performing a highly inappropriate act.
The victim immediately reported the incident to the conductor, and emergency services were called. He was then taken to the hospital.
Police Searching for the Suspect
As of now, the suspect remains at large. NYPD Crime Stoppers has released surveillance footage and issued a call to the public for help identifying the man, who was last seen wearing a blue shirt, blue pants, and white sneakers.
A reward of up to $3,500 is being offered for information leading to his arrest.
Another Troubling Case on the R Train
This horrifying incident comes on the heels of another troubling event that occurred earlier in April.
Felix Rojas, a 44-year-old man, turned himself in and is now facing serious charges after allegedly assaulting a deceased person on an R train near Whitehall Street station.
The victim, Jorge Gonzalez, 37, had reportedly collapsed on the train after smoking something handed to him by an unknown woman.
Hours later, Rojas allegedly boarded the train, went through Gonzalez’s pockets, and committed the assault. Surveillance footage reportedly captured the act, and another person was also seen stealing from Gonzalez after the fact. His body was discovered later by a train conductor.
Crime Stats Tell a Conflicting Story
Despite the recent violence, the NYPD has highlighted that major crimes in the subway system have decreased significantly over the first quarter of 2025.
Commissioner Jessica Tisch emphasized that subway-related crimes were at their second-lowest level in nearly three decades.
“The women and men of the NYPD are driving record-breaking reductions in crime and violence,” she said.
But Weekly Numbers Show a Different Trend
However, a closer look at recent weekly reports shows an uptick in transit-related crimes.
In the final full week of April 2025, 40 incidents were reported—an increase from 32 during the same period in 2024.
Overall, the month of April saw a 9% rise in subway crime compared to last year.
NYPD Boosts Patrols Amid Public Concern
Recognizing growing unease among commuters, Commissioner Tisch announced that more than 200 additional officers would be deployed to conduct targeted patrols on trains.
“Subways are always a reflection of how safe people feel in New York,” she said.
“The numbers may be down, but the perception of safety hasn’t caught up yet—and that matters.”
What’s next?
Ongoing investigations are expected to continue, and law enforcement hopes public tips will lead to swift justice. Meanwhile, New Yorkers are left asking whether safety on public transit is truly improving—or if high-profile cases like these reveal deeper issues beneath the statistics.