by Fauzia J. Choudhury | New York | August 7, 2025
An 18-year-old transgender woman, Justine Randall, has been arrested once again — this time for allegedly hijacking a New York City subway train using stolen MTA keys, sparking fresh concerns over transit security and repeat offenses in the criminal justice system.
According to police and court documents, Randall unlawfully boarded and controlled an N train from Broadway Station to 36th Avenue in Astoria, overriding operator controls and disabling safety signals. MTA officials report that she also physically assaulted a transit conductor, worsening the severity of the charges.
The case took a further twist when Randall failed to appear in court on the scheduled date, prompting a judge to issue a bench warrant for her arrest. She was later taken into custody and is now facing multiple charges, including grand larceny, criminal impersonation, assault, and unauthorized use of transit systems.
Case at a Glance
• Suspect: Justine Randall
18-year-old transgender woman
• Charges:
• Grand larceny
• Unauthorized train operation
• Assault on transit staff
• Criminal impersonation
• History:
More than 20 prior arrests, many related to transit-related incidents
• Incident Details:
Hijacked train using stolen MTA keys
Operated train from Broadway to 36th Ave (Astoria)
Disabled safety systems and assaulted conductor
• Current Status:
In police custody after missing court appearance
Community & Policy Concerns
This incident has reignited public concern over:
• The vulnerability of New York’s transit infrastructure
• The failures of mental health and rehabilitation systems for repeat offenders
• The growing tension between inclusion, safety, and accountability in criminal justice discussions
Transit advocates and city officials are calling for stricter background checks, security protocol upgrades, and a deeper review of how repeat offenders like Randall are handled by the system.
As the case unfolds, questions remain: How did an individual with over 20 arrests gain access to MTA tools again? And what reforms are urgently needed to protect millions of daily subway riders?
