An 18-year-old from Washington D.C. surrendered to New York City police Wednesday morning, accused of sexually abusing a woman on an uptown R train with two children present. The incident occurred on June 28 around 3 p.m. as the train approached the 28th Street station in Chelsea.
Authorities allege that Ari Shtein, 18, stood behind the 30-year-old victim and penetrated her with his fingers through her underwear. According to law enforcement sources, Shtein then told the victim, “My bad, didn’t know you were going to react that way.”
Shtein, who reportedly does not know the victim, is said to have fled the scene initially. The victim was taken to a local hospital for observation. It was not immediately clear if the children, both under 17, were related to the victim. Police stated Shtein has no prior arrests in New York City.
He has been charged with aggravated sexual abuse and endangering the welfare of a child. Shtein was awaiting arraignment as of Wednesday afternoon.