A rush-hour ride on a Brooklyn-bound A train reportedly took a disturbing turn on Wednesday, April 22, 2026, and now police want help finding the man they say is responsible.
According to investigators, a 35-year-old man was riding the A train toward Brooklyn at about 6:30 p.m., as it neared the Hoyt–Schermerhorn Streets station, when an unidentified person approached and allegedly touched the victim’s groin. The suspect then got off the train and fled in an unknown direction.
The NYPD Crime Stoppers unit publicized the case on X on May 3 and said it is offering a reward of up to $3,500 for information leading to an arrest, according to NYPD Crime Stoppers. Anyone with information is asked to call 1-800-577-TIPS, or the Spanish line at 1-888-57-PISTA, or to submit an anonymous tip via Crime Stoppers. The agency notes that tips are confidential and that tipsters could be eligible for the posted reward.
What forcible touching means under state law
Under New York law, forcible touching covers intentionally touching another person’s sexual or intimate parts to degrade them or to gratify the actor’s sexual desire. The statute explicitly includes conduct that occurs while a person is a passenger on public transit, according to the New York State Senate. It also specifies that squeezes, grabs or pinches fall within the definition and classifies the offense as a Class A misdemeanor.
How investigators usually follow up
This latest public appeal is part of a string of similar alerts across the city in recent weeks, and local reporting shows detectives often lean on rider-shot video and bystander tips to zero in on suspects. Authorities are asking anyone who may have recorded video on the April 22 A train, or who recognizes the person in the wanted notice, to hang on to that footage and share it with investigators through the official tip lines.
Potential legal consequences
Because forcible touching is charged as a Class A misdemeanor under state law, a conviction can bring jail time and other penalties, depending on the evidence and prosecutorial decisions, per FindLaw. If detectives develop sufficient leads, the case would move into criminal court, where prosecutors decide whether to file charges.
Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact the NYPD Crime Stoppers hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS or consult the department’s contact resources on the official NYPD site for more details. Tips can be submitted anonymously and may qualify for the reward connected to the wanted notice.
