A 22-year-old woman told police she was groped on the mezzanine at the Grand Central-42nd Street subway station on Friday night, March 20, 2026, when an unidentified man grabbed her buttocks over her clothing and then ran off, according to authorities. The attack was reported at about 8:47 p.m. and has triggered a public wanted alert from law enforcement.
The NYPD Crime Stoppers unit posted a "WANTED FOR FORCIBLE TOUCHING" reel and still images on Facebook on March 22, laying out basic details about the victim and urging anyone who recognizes the suspect to come forward, according to NYPD Crime Stoppers. The post notes that the man fled to an unknown location and asks tipsters to call the department’s hotline or submit information online.
How to reach Crime Stoppers
Investigators are asking anyone with information to call the Crime Stoppers hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or the Spanish hotline at 1-888-57-PISTA, send a direct message to @NYPDTips on X, or use the online tip form at the Crime Stoppers portal, according to NYPD Crime Stoppers. These channels are the department’s preferred options for anonymous leads that could help identify the person in the video and photos.
What the charge means
Under New York law, forcible touching is defined as intentionally touching another person’s sexual or intimate parts, including squeezing, grabbing or pinching, for the purpose of degrading the victim or gratifying the offender’s sexual desire. It is prosecuted as a class A misdemeanor, according to FindLaw. Potential penalties can include up to one year in jail, although the outcome in any case depends on prosecutorial decisions and the specific facts involved.
A steady stream of transit-area alerts
The Facebook reel is the latest in a run of similar public appeals this month. Earlier in March, the NYPD released a separate wanted notice after a groping on an escalator at Court Square, underscoring how the department is leaning on social media posts to get tips from riders. Police say sharing images publicly often prompts calls from commuters who recognize clothing, faces, or distinctive details in the stills.
What witnesses and riders should do
Anyone who witnessed the March 20 incident, recorded video, or recognizes the person in the released images is urged to preserve any footage and contact authorities right away. If the suspect is spotted nearby, officials say to call 911 for an immediate response. Holding onto the original file and noting the exact time and location can significantly increase the usefulness of a tip to detectives, according to NYPD Crime Stoppers.
