Mocobizscene- According to police sources, a man was apprehended in The Bronx earlier this week for alleged farebeating. During the arrest, law enforcement officers discovered a loaded firearm in his possession.
Law enforcement sources have reported that Xavier Williams, aged 31, was apprehended on Wednesday at the Brook Avenue “6” train subway station located at East 138th Street in Mott Haven. According to sources, Williams was seen by a vigilant officer as he entered the subway system at approximately 2:20 p.m. through an emergency gate, in an attempt to avoid paying the fare.
According to sources, when the police attempted to apprehend Williams, he reportedly resisted arrest and attempted to flee. According to sources, after the police finally apprehended the suspect, they discovered a loaded gun with six .38-caliber bullets concealed in his waistband.
According to sources, Williams has been arrested five times in the past, with four of those arrests being classified as felonies.
According to sources, he had been placed on probation due to a gun arrest in 2022. Court records reveal that Williams has been charged with criminal possession of a loaded firearm. According to court records, he is currently held at Rikers Island on $10,000 bail.
“A remarkable demonstration of the unwavering determination of our Transit police officers to confront lawlessness directly: a man who was on probation for weapons possession attempted to evade paying the subway fare today [Wednesday] while carrying a gun. Fortunately, a lengthy altercation on the platform concluded with the arrest of the armed criminal,” stated Michael Kemper, Chief of Transit for the NYPD, on X.
Joseph Giacalone, a retired NYPD sergeant and adjunct professor at John Jay College of Criminal Justice, emphasizes the importance of police focusing on seemingly minor issues.
“We used to witness this frequently during the 1990s, which significantly enhanced the safety of subway travel. It’s concerning that the City Council intends to ease fare evasion enforcement!”
A progressive lawmaker from Queens is taking proactive measures to address fare evasion by proposing that police officers distribute flyers for affordable transit programs to individuals caught fare-beating.
City Councilwoman Selvena Brooks-Powers (D) introduced a bill in April that proposes a requirement for NYPD officers stationed in subway stations. The bill aims to have officers carry leaflets providing information about reduced-fare options like Fair Fares and instructions on applying for these programs.
Law enforcement officers would provide informational literature once fare-beaters are apprehended or issued $100 fines for failing to pay the $2.75 subway fare.
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