NYPD Crime Stoppers on Thursday circulated surveillance images of a man investigators say is wanted for public lewdness on a northbound F train near the 53rd Street station in Midtown. Police say the unidentified suspect stood in front of a 24-year-old woman and performed a lewd act, then got off the train at Court Square and took off on foot. Riders who were on that train are being urged to scroll their camera rolls and share any video with detectives.
In a Facebook post, NYPD Crime Stoppers shared stills and a short rundown of the encounter, including the victim's age and the suspect's escape route. The post directs anyone with information to call the Crime Stoppers hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or, for Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782). Tipsters can also submit information online through the program's website or reach out via its X account, @NYPDTips.
What investigators released
According to the NYPD bulletin, the man was on a northbound F train approaching the 53rd Street stop when he allegedly began the lewd act in front of the woman, then exited at Court Square and ran. Investigators attached surveillance stills to the alert and asked anyone who may have recorded the incident to hold on to that footage and contact detectives instead of deleting it. No arrests or further identifying details about the suspect were listed in the appeal.
Recent transit-sex offense alerts
The Crime Stoppers notice lands amid a run of similar NYPD alerts this month seeking help tracking suspects in unwanted sexual incidents on trains. Earlier this week, coverage of a groping at 14th Street highlighted investigators' repeated pleas for riders to save any potentially useful video instead of swiping it away.
What the law says
Public lewdness is codified in Penal Law §245.00, according to the New York State Senate, and is classified as a Class B misdemeanor, which can carry up to 90 days in jail. Prosecutors could seek additional charges depending on what an investigation turns up.
How to help investigators
Anyone with information or video connected to the case is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or, for Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782), to submit an anonymous tip at NYPD Crime Stoppers, or to message @NYPDTips on X. The program notes that anonymous tips that lead to an arrest may be eligible for a cash reward, and detectives are asking riders to include the train car, approximate time and any other specifics they remember when they report what they saw.
