A fare beater unleashed a canister of Mace on two NYPD officers after they apprehended him for attempting to enter an East Harlem subway station through the emergency exit. The incident occurred in the early hours of Wednesday at the No. 6 subway station located at East 116th Street and Lexington Avenue. The suspect, a 57-year-old individual, was caught red-handed by the vigilant officers.
Upon spotting the offense, the officers approached the fare beater, only to be met with a sudden burst of Mace aimed directly at their faces. Swiftly, the assailant was subdued and taken into custody. Charges against him were pending at the time of this report. Both officers were transported to a local hospital, where they were listed in stable condition.
This incident follows a recent case where another individual, Dajuan Robinson, was captured on video entering the Nostrand Avenue station through the emergency gate. Robinson, who was involved in a violent altercation on an A train, was subsequently shot with his own firearm. The authorities have highlighted the significance of cracking down on fare evasion, as it often leads to the apprehension of recidivists with outstanding warrants, possession of weapons, and involvement in more serious crimes.
NYPD Deputy Commissioner of Operations, Kaz Daughtry, emphasized the importance of quality-of-life operations, stating, “Small things like walking through an exit gate, through an emergency gate, hopping over the turnstile, leads to big things.”
1 Response
While it is unfortunate that the fare beater resorted to violence by using Mace on the NYPD officers, it is important to consider the underlying reasons behind fare evasion. Many individuals who engage in fare evasion do so out of financial necessity or desperation. The high cost of public transportation can be a significant burden for low-income individuals, and they may feel compelled to take desperate measures to avoid paying fares.
Instead of solely focusing on the violent act committed by the fare beater, it is crucial to address