Police, MTA look for teens videotaping escalating subway stunt war
NEW YORK (WABC) -- A group of teenagers is pulling dangerous stunts on New York City subways, apparently recording them in an effort to one up each other.
The new group calls themselves the "subway conquestors," and their antics are the latest in a string of pranks that include explosions on the tracks and breaking in a control room.
It may look like fun and games, but authorities insist it is not. What you see on the tapes represents not only serious breaches in security, but also dangerous risk-taking and criminal activity.
The latest videos show the kids essentially roaming around where they should not be, including abandoned stations, as well as jumping down on the tracks and breaking through locked doors.
Some photos posted on the web show pictures of MTA keys as well as a conductor's brake, which could be used to take control of a train.
Max Diamond is an engineering student and a self-professed "transit enthusiast" who has been keeping track of the teens' antics online, even sending the evidence to CrimeStoppers.
He says recent photos posted of MTA keys, a worker's vest and a red brake handle underlines this security risk and how these incidents cross a dangerous line.
"They are putting riders in danger," he said. "If you look at the things that they are doing, they have capabilities to control train doors, brakes, motors, all the functions of the train, which is frankly a huge security hazard, especially in the post-9/11 world."
A fiery explosion on the rails at the Nostrand Avenue train station back in March was triggered by a sign box thrown onto the tracks and then hit by a train. A teenager was arrested in that incident. But so far, the "subway conquestors" are still out there documenting their antics.
Some believe the popularity of smartphones and social media are fueling this underground vandalism.
Officials with the MTA say they wants to catch these teens, as they do not consider these to be simply juvenile pranks. In fact, authorities are asking riders to contact them if they see anything illegal. They also say they will accept any photos or videos if it will help lead them to the suspects.
