An 18-year-old man's subway ride through Queens turned violent Tuesday night when a group of three attacked and robbed him on a northbound F train as it approached the Court Square–23rd Street station, police said. The trio allegedly punched him several times in the face and took his identification, while a fourth person tried, and failed, to grab his backpack. The suspects then bolted on foot, leaving the teen shaken and treated for facial injuries.
NYPD Crime Stoppers released photos and details of the case on March 20, stating that the robbery happened on March 17 at about 8:30 p.m. and that the suspects are still on the loose, according to NYPD Crime Stoppers. The alert includes a reward of up to $3,500 for information, along with phone numbers and a Spanish-language helpline for tips.
Where it happened
The confrontation unfolded as the train neared the Court Square–23rd Street station complex in Long Island City, a busy transfer hub that links several subway lines. The northbound F train serves the stretch near 23rd Street and Court Square, according to Wikipedia. That location falls within the NYPD's 108th Precinct, which covers Long Island City, Sunnyside and Woodside, according to the city's precinct webpage.
Transit safety context
The attack comes amid a year in which subway safety has been under a closer microscope. Local reporting and MTA figures show that major felonies in the transit system ticked up early in 2026. As reported by amNewYork, transit data showed about a 6.1 percent increase in major crimes in January compared with January 2025, although officials noted that this January was still among the lowest starts to a year in recent decades.
How to report tips
Anyone with information about the robbery is asked to contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or the Spanish line at 1-888-57-PISTA (74782). Tips can also be submitted online through the NYPD Crime Stoppers website or by messaging @NYPDTips on X. Police say information that leads to an arrest may qualify for the reward mentioned in the department's alert.
