“They Took the Train for a Joyride” Two Teens Busted After Viral Subway Stunt
(Photo by Lokman Vural Elibol/Anadolu via Getty Images)
What started as a reckless thrill for a group of teenagers has now landed two of them in serious trouble. Two boys, aged 15 and 17, were arrested on Monday, February 3, for allegedly hijacking an empty New York City subway train and taking it for an unauthorized ride in Brooklyn over a week ago. The incident, which was captured on video, quickly went viral, drawing attention from law enforcement.
The boys were part of a six-member group who took the R train for a joyride, and their identities were revealed after someone connected to the incident tipped off the authorities. According to law enforcement sources cited by the New York Post, the 15-year-old was picked up by a youth officer at James Madison High School in Midwood, while the location of the 17-year-old’s arrest remains unclear.
The younger teen now faces multiple charges, including reckless endangerment, possession of burglary tools, criminal mischief, and criminal trespass. Meanwhile, the older teen has been charged with reckless endangerment, criminal mischief, and criminal trespass. Police also noted that the older suspect had a prior juvenile arrest for robbery in late October.
The stunt began when the group of masked teens allegedly stole the unoccupied R train from a storage yard at the Forest Hills-71 Ave subway station in Queens just before 10:30 a.m. on the day of the incident. CCTV footage captured at least six of them emerging from the conductor’s compartment mid-ride, casually strolling through the darkened subway car.
Before taking control of the train, the teens reportedly tried to cover security cameras with black marker to conceal their identities. However, in a move that proved their downfall, they later filmed themselves joyriding at speeds of approximately 30 mph and even posted the footage on Instagram.
Authorities believe the group fled the scene on foot after completing their unauthorized trip, but it remains unclear how long the joyride lasted. The viral nature of the video, however, ensured that their actions would not go unnoticed for long.
As investigators continue to track down the remaining members of the group, the arrests serve as a stark reminder of the dangers and consequences of such reckless behavior. While the teenagers may have sought internet fame, they now find themselves facing serious legal repercussions instead.
