Police are asking for the public’s help tracking down a man they say groped a 22-year-old woman on the downtown 2/3 platform at 34th Street–Penn Station last Thursday, March 26. According to authorities, the man allegedly slapped the victim’s buttocks over her clothing, then took off on foot immediately after the encounter.
NYPD Crime Stoppers shared still images and a "WANTED FOR FORCIBLE TOUCHING" alert on Facebook on April 3, featuring surveillance photos and key details about the case, according to NYPD Crime Stoppers. The post notes the incident happened at approximately 3:40 p.m. and that the unidentified suspect fled the station "on foot to parts unknown." Investigators are asking anyone who recognizes the individual in the images to contact the department.
The alert is one more entry in a string of recent transit-area wanted notices that local outlets have been watching closely this month. As reported by groping at Grand Central, the department has recently circulated other images following a separate Grand Central incident and another Midtown platform case, and detectives say pushing these stills out on social media often helps coax witnesses out of the woodwork.
What the charge means
Under New York law, "forcible touching" is defined as intentionally touching another person's sexual or intimate parts, including actions such as squeezing, grabbing or pinching, when done to degrade the victim or to satisfy the offender’s sexual desire. The offense is classified as a class A misdemeanor under Penal Law § 130.52 and can carry a maximum penalty of up to one year behind bars, according to FindLaw. Prosecutors weigh the circumstances and the available identification evidence before deciding whether to bring charges.
How to report tips
Anyone with information is urged to call the Crime Stoppers hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477), the Spanish-language line at 1-888-57-PISTA (74782), or submit an online tip through the Crime Stoppers portal, according to NYPD Crime Stoppers. The department encourages potential witnesses to hold on to any video or photos and to note the exact time and location of the incident. If the suspect is spotted, call 911. Tips can be submitted anonymously, and rewards are available for information that leads to an arrest.
