The NYPD is currently on the look for a group of six individuals accused of commandeering and vandalizing an R train in Queens last weekend. As reported yesterday by PIX11, the suspects allegedly entered the train after 10 p.m. Saturday and were caught on camera causing damage to the vehicle, breaking windows, and even covering up the train's cameras. Despite their attempts to obscure their faces, they recorded the joyride themselves, and the train was seen moving at speeds of up to 30 miles per hour.
Adding to this, The New York Post published new videos on January 29th that show the suspects, all hooded, walking through the dark carriage of the stolen train, which was swiped from a storage yard at the Forest Hills-71 Av subway station. These acts of vandalism, and the footage comes amid a worrying trend of dangerous stunts on the city's train lines, where youths have been engaging in so-called subway surfing, leading to multiple deaths and serious injuries.
The authorities have released photos of the individuals involved, urging the public to submit any tips they may have to help apprehend the culprits. The NYPD urges anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477), to visit their website at crimestoppers.nypdonline.org, to download the NYPD Crime Stoppers mobile app, or text 274637 (CRIMES) then enter TIP577. For Spanish-speaking callers, the number 1-888-57-PISTA (74782) is available.
This recent incident is part of a larger disturbing pattern in the city, with youths taking incredible risks on subway trains. Just last year, subway surfing incidents led to the deaths of half a dozen people, with another seven suffering injuries, as The New York Post reported. The police have been employing drones in an effort to stop, these dangerous activities and made over 180 arrests in the past year, mostly involving teens. Tragically, similar incidents continued into 2025, including one at the Briarwood station where a 16-year-old was injured while attempting to surf atop an F train.
