Last Friday, a 19-year-old woman reported to police that she was groped while riding a Q44 MTA bus near Parsons Boulevard and Union Turnpike in Queens. She said an unidentified man approached from behind, grabbed her buttocks, pressed against her, and then fled the bus.
Police Plea and Reward
The NYPD has put out a citywide call for help in a social media post. The alert says the incident happened at about 1:57 p.m. and shares surveillance images of the man investigators are trying to identify.
According to the post, anyone with information can DM @NYPDTips on X or call the Crime Stoppers hotline. A reward of up to $3,500 is available for tips that lead to an arrest and indictment, and detectives are hoping someone recognizes the suspect from the photos.
Where It Happened
The Q44 cuts through northeast Queens, and the bus in this case was nearing the intersection of Parsons Boulevard and Union Turnpike, according to the MTA. Transit riders along the route have seen this kind of case before. The NYPD also searched for a suspect in a Q44 forcible-touching incident reported in March 2025.
Legal Note
Under New York Penal Law §130.52, forcible touching, which the statute explains includes acts such as squeezing, grabbing or pinching, is classified as a class A misdemeanor. Legal guides note that a conviction can bring jail time and probation, with potential penalties of up to one year in jail as well as long-term probationary restrictions.
How to Report
Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (or 888-57-PISTA for Spanish) or to send an anonymous tip through the program's online and phone channels, according to NYPD Crime Stoppers. If you are in immediate danger, call 911 first. Otherwise, officials urge you to preserve any video or photos you may have and share any identifying details with investigators.
