Exclusive | Meet the five worst subway offenders in NYC — with 590 career busts between them: ‘Wanted, dangerous people’

The Five Worst Subway Career Criminals in New York City

New York City’s subway system has long been plagued by a small but dangerous group of repeat offenders who wreak havoc on commuters and the transit system. According to a recent investigation by The New York Post, five of the worst subway career criminals in the five boroughs have amassed a staggering 590 arrests between them. These arrests include more than 100 felony charges for violent crimes such as robbery and rape. These individuals have consistently evaded accountability, taking advantage of the state’s lax criminal justice reforms, until now. A new NYPD pilot program aimed at addressing quality-of-life crimes has successfully taken three of these notorious offenders off the streets, while the other two remain at large.

The NYPD’s Quality of Life Pilot Program

In an effort to reclaim the subway system from career criminals, the NYPD launched a pilot program in two transit districts: Transit District 20 in Queens and Transit District 34 in Brooklyn. The initiative focuses on enforcing laws against quality-of-life crimes, such as smoking in the subway or carrying weapons, which were previously overlooked. Instead of letting offenders off with a warning, police are now taking a more proactive approach by asking for identification and checking for outstanding warrants. Since its implementation in January and February respectively, the program has yielded impressive results. Police have issued 671 summonses and made 313 arrests, including 180 individuals who were wanted on active warrants.

Enforcement Yields Results: Notorious Offenders Caught

The success of the pilot program is evident in the apprehension of some of the most dangerous repeat offenders in the subway system. Among those caught is Robert Davis, 56, a reputed member of the Latin Kings with 129 prior arrests, including nine for robbery. Davis, who was found with five active warrants, is currently being held at Rikers Island on $3,000 bail. Another notable offender is Jorge Molina, 36, who has 128 arrests to his name, including 52 for burglary. Molina is also behind bars on $7,500 bail. Kenney Mitchell, 28, the youngest of the group with 116 arrests, is similarly being held at Rikers on $5,000 bail. However, two other offenders, William Watts and Pablo Colon, remain free despite their lengthy rap sheets. Watts, 57, has 114 prior arrests, including charges for robbery and assault, while Colon, 56, has 103 arrests, with 16 felony charges ranging from burglary to grand larceny.

A Broader Initiative to Tackle Quality of Life Crimes

The success of the pilot program has coincided with the announcement of a new “Quality of Life” division by Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch. This division aims to address the growing concerns of aggressive panhandling, open-air drug use, and vagrancy in both the streets and subways. The initiative is set to be fully operational in the coming months and will build on the momentum created by the pilot program. By focusing on both minor and serious offenses, the NYPD hopes to create a safer and more orderly environment for all New Yorkers.

The Impact of Proactive Enforcement

Law enforcement officials have praised the pilot program for its effectiveness in targeting known criminals without resorting to indiscriminate roundups. “It’s encouraging that we can prove that with proper enforcement of the laws, shockingly, we can get actual known, wanted, dangerous people off the streets and out of the subway system,” said one source. The program’s success highlights the importance of old-school policing tactics, where officers engage with individuals committing minor offenses to uncover more serious crimes. This approach has not only led to the apprehension of dangerous individuals but also sent a strong message that lawlessness will no longer be tolerated in New York City’s transit system.

A New Era for Transit Safety in New York City

The combination of the pilot program and the upcoming Quality of Life division signals a new era in transit safety for New York City. By addressing both minor and major offenses, the NYPD is taking a comprehensive approach to reclaiming the subway system from career criminals. While the program has already shown promising results, its long-term success will depend on sustained effort and the support of the community. For now, the apprehension of these five notorious offenders serves as a powerful reminder that the NYPD is committed to making the subways safer for everyone.