Police are asking Queens riders to speak up after a 15-year-old girl was sexually abused on a Q44 bus in northeast Queens, and the suspect slipped away into the crowd.
According to investigators, the assault happened on Thursday as the teen was standing on the bus near Main Street and the Horace Harding Expressway. An unidentified individual stood beside her and, police say, touched her over her clothing before taking off. Detectives have now pushed out a wanted alert and are turning to the public for help.
🚨WANTED FOR SEXUAL ABUSE: on Thursday, June 11, 2026, at an unknown time, in the vicinity of Main Street and Horace Harding Expressway, in the confines of the NYPD 109 Precinct, a 15-year-old female was standing onboard a Q44 bus when an unidentified individual stood next to https://t.co/LETq3FHs26
— NYPD Crime Stoppers (@NYPDTips) June 23, 2026
Police Seek Tips and Offer Reward
The NYPD says its Crime Stoppers program is putting up a reward of up to $3,500 for information that leads to an arrest and indictment in the case, according to NYC.gov. Tipsters can stay anonymous, and the program lists a hotline and an online portal where people can send evidence, including photos or video from the bus or nearby.
What Investigators Say
Detectives say the incident unfolded on a Q44 bus within the boundaries of the NYPD’s 109th Precinct. The suspect allegedly "touched and rubbed her over her clothing" before fleeing in an unknown direction, according to an alert shared by NYPD Crime Stoppers. No arrests have been announced, and the wanted alert is aimed at generating fresh leads from anyone who might recognize the individual.
Transit Safety in Queens
The case lands in a year when Queens bus riders have already reported multiple groping and lewd-encounter incidents, leaving many commuters on edge during what should be a routine ride. Recent Q44 and other bus cases, including one where a teen groped on Q44 bus drew citywide attention, have been covered by local outlet QNS. Those reports highlight how critical surveillance footage and rider tips are when it comes to actually tracking these suspects down.
Legal Note
In New York, unwanted sexual touching on public transit can fall under the state’s forcible-touching law, which is a Class A misdemeanor. N.Y. Penal Law §130.52 lays out the elements of the offense and possible penalties. Prosecutors often lean heavily on witness statements and video evidence to build these kinds of cases.
How to Help
Anyone with information about the Q44 incident is asked to call the Crime Stoppers hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477), or for Spanish speakers, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782). Tips can also be submitted anonymously online at CrimeStoppers.nypdonline.org.
If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 911. Otherwise, save any relevant photos or video and share them directly with investigators so they can review the evidence.
