UPDATE: A 26-year-old man has been arrested following a violent incident at the 53rd Street subway station in Sunset Park, Brooklyn. The NYPD reports that the suspect, identified as Caleb Polidore, allegedly slashed a 33-year-old man multiple times during an argument that escalated near the station’s turnstiles around 1 p.m. today.
Emergency responders quickly transported the victim to a local hospital, where he is currently listed in stable condition. Polidore was apprehended at the scene and faces serious charges, including assault, weapons possession, menacing, and harassment.
Authorities confirmed that the weapon used in the attack was a box cutter, although the specifics of the argument remain under investigation. This shocking episode highlights ongoing concerns about safety in the transit system, especially as transit crime in the precinct has surged by 31% this year, despite an overall decline in felony assaults.
While felony assaults in the 72nd Precinct have dropped approximately 10% compared to last year, the increase in transit-related incidents raises alarms. Citywide, transit crime has decreased nearly 5% year over year, yet the NYPD notes that 2025 is on track to be the transit system’s safest year since 2009, barring the pandemic’s early phase when ridership significantly declined.
Officials are urging the public to remain vigilant while using the subway system and are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the attack. As this situation develops, updates will be provided regarding the legal proceedings against Polidore and any additional details about the victim’s recovery.
Stay tuned for more breaking news on this developing story.
