A morning commute on the northbound 5 train turned ugly this week when a woman reported being groped as the subway rolled into the 42nd Street–Grand Central station, and police are now asking riders to help track down the man they say is responsible.
The 27-year-old victim told investigators the suspect pressed his groin against her buttocks over her clothing as the train approached Grand Central on Wednesday, then took off when the doors opened at the station. Detectives released still images of the man in a wanted notice two days later and are urging anyone who was nearby to come forward with video or information.
According to NYPD Crime Stoppers, the incident happened at about 8:40 a.m. aboard a northbound 5 train, and the suspect exited at the 42nd Street–Grand Central station. Tips can be submitted anonymously through the NYPD Crime Stoppers tip portal, by calling 1-800-577-TIPS (8477), via X @NYPDTips, or on the Spanish hotline at 1-888-57-PISTA (74782).
What police say
“WANTED FOR FORCIBLE TOUCHING,” the NYPD’s wanted poster declares, according to NYPD Crime Stoppers. The notice reiterates that the 27-year-old victim was touched as the northbound 5 train approached Grand Central at about 8:40 a.m., and that the man then left the train at the station.
Detectives are asking anyone who may have recorded video, snapped photos, or seen the incident to hold onto that evidence and share it with investigators. Even a quick cell phone clip from inside the car or on the platform could help them match the suspect to the images in the wanted notice.
How to help and what to preserve
Riders who were on the train or at Grand Central around the time of the incident are urged to preserve the original versions of any photos or videos. Investigators say it helps to note the exact time, the car number, and where on the platform or in the train the footage was taken, since those details can be critical for building a timeline and confirming what happened.
The MTA safety page explains how to report sexual misconduct on transit and points riders to law enforcement and the NYPD Transit Special Victims Squad for urgent cases; following that guidance helps preserve evidence and speed an investigation.
Legal note
Under New York law, forcible touching, which can include grabbing or squeezing another person's intimate parts over clothing, is classified as a misdemeanor punishable by up to a year behind bars. For the statute and case guidance see Penal Law 7130.52 on Justia, which outlines the elements prosecutors must prove in these cases.
A pattern at Grand Central
Public wanted notices for gropings have surfaced at Grand Central and other Midtown transit hubs several times in recent months, as police increasingly post surveillance stills to social media to shake loose tips. A Grand Central mezzanine groping reported earlier this spring is one example of how local coverage and commuters have amplified those appeals.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS, message @NYPDTips, or use the online tip portal. Tips can be anonymous and may help detectives identify and locate the person shown in the images.
