NYPD: Man Groped Same Girl Twice On Two Separate Subway Lines
March 7, 2019, 1:44 p.m.
The alleged gropings occurred just over a week apart.
The NYPD seeks this person-of-interest for questioning about the repeat groping of a minor on public transit.
The same man groped the same 13-year-old girl on two separate occasions on two different subway lines last month, according to police, who say they are now questioning a person of interest.
Investigators say the first incident occurred around 7:15 a.m. on February 12th, when a man approached a 13-year-old girl on a northbound 7 train. As it pulled into Queensboro Plaza, he allegedly touched her inner thigh.
Then, on February 22nd, the girl was riding a northbound 5 train—again around 7:15 a.m.—when the same man made his way over to her and, as the train pulled into the 86th Street station, touched her inner thigh again. He did not immediately exit the train, either, but stayed on until 149th Street-Grand Concourse in the Bronx.
Police have not clarified whether the suspect was stalking the victim.
This afternoon, the NYPD told Gothamist "there is a person of interest in custody at this time." We'll update as more information becomes available.
Update: The NYPD arrested 66-year-old Walter Polanco of Queens. He has been charged with Stalking and Forcible Touching.
