Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Metro Molester


In the Tokyo subway, unwanted groping is such a common problem, they have women-only cars during rush hour. Photo via

From Allie:
I wanted an outlet to reach out to warn other Metro riders about a repeat Metro experience where the same man was rubbing himself against young women.

I've encountered him twice now.

Both times he boarded the Yellow Line toward Huntington at L'Enfant station and gets on the last car.

He gets off at the Pentagon.

This happens between 4:00 and 5:00 in the afternoon.

He will stand behind young women and press up against them closely with his hips, pretending train is too crowded.

The first time I encountered him, it happened to me only, but today I saw him do it to one girl, then when she pushed him off he moved through the car to another woman.

The man is an African American male in his 20s or 30s. He is about 5'10" with a slender build. He has close-cropped hair.

Both times, I've seen him wearing a track suit made of thin material. On March 18, it was black with lime green shoulders. He wore a white watch on his left wrist, and Ralph Lauren glasses that had heavy black frames with clear lenses.

Thanks for getting the word out. Hopefully, this will give other women a heads up. If your readers do encounter him, I advise them to confront the man by looking him square in the face and asking him to back off and give them some space.

Based on my experience, he will move on.

I called the Metro police and gave a description. You should, too, if you are a victim.
Other items:
Metro restores bus stops after complaints (Examiner)
Metro board, public skip budget hearing (Examiner)

Comments (39)

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Thanks for sharing Allie! I hate pervs like that!
Ever and Anon's avatar

Ever and Anon · 733 weeks ago

Thanks for the heads up warning. I'll be sure to speak loudly when I tell him to back off so everyone can stare at the desperate moron in front of me. Probably also mention he's been talked about on the Unsuck blog. Folks like this are scary. It rarely ends with just this silly maneuver.
Orange Line Rider's avatar

Orange Line Rider · 733 weeks ago

Judging from past Unsuck stories, can we be certain he's not a Station Manager?
Thank you for writing about this. I hope he tries something funny with me so I can pepperspray the crap out of this piece of ____!
3 replies · active less than 1 minute ago
Oh, I can think of responses better than peperspray! If the train is as crowded as he would have you believe wear heels on the metro and 'accidentally' step on his toes.
Pepper spray and mace in closed confined areas is a bad idea. It will effect everyone in that car and they'll probably have to air out the car which would cause delays. I'm sure a hard slap to his face or knee to the groin would suffice.
Thanks for the tip. I've actually never had to use my Pepperspray (knock on wood.)
Allie - if you read this, please also post to Holla Back DC -
http://hollabackdc.wordpress.com

It's a blog dedicated sexual harassment in DC and helping warn women where there are repeat offenders. Thanks for sharing!
1 reply · active less than 1 minute ago
Golden Silence's avatar

Golden Silence · 733 weeks ago

And March is Transit Awareness Month, so they're collecting stories related to issues on Metrobus and rail. Even after March is over they'll still collect stories. Please post it there so more folks will be on the lookout for this perv.
I'd also like to add that if you see this happening to someone, SAY SOMETHING. A victim of sexual harrassment may be too embarrassed to say anything herself (or himself). Ask the victim, "Hey, is this guy bothering you?" or offer to help him/her find another space to stand in away from the offender. Call the Metro police and report it.
2 replies · active less than 1 minute ago
jeff davis's avatar

jeff davis · 733 weeks ago

I think that dcn8v is wise to suggest that riders offer victims of harassment room to find another space to stand away from the offender. However, I think it is very unrealistic and perhaps dangerous for a bystander to say something to the offender. Anyone who has lived in large urban areas like Washington have experienced, heard,or read of bystanders being cursed, threatened, or physically attacked. The transit police force is woefully understaffed, and one can't expect much help from them, either. Frankly, I'd like to hear of the bystanders who intervened and did not have a bad experience. When was the last time dcn8v intervened?
I must have a death wish... I've lived in DC all my life, but I step up when I see someone in an uncomfortable situation. You point out a good distinction though. I will usually I address my question to the victim. An "Are you ok? Do you want to come stand by me?" works well on the Metro, in a bar, wherever. Offering an out for the victim is a good way to go. I'm not going to step up to someone who is swinging and violent, though I will call the police. Clearly you have to use your judgment. But I don't believe in standing idly by and ignoring it if someone else is in trouble. And if this guy were rubbing his junk all over me, you better believe he'd get an earful.
no moleste!
basil cronus's avatar

basil cronus · 733 weeks ago

After yesterday's mess, I think we all got molested.
Would I be charged with assault for punching some guy I saw doing this?
1 reply · active less than 1 minute ago
I hope not! You'd be my hero.
Don't punch him - rack him! One good kick between the legs would do more good that the Metro Police ever will...
hrh king friday 13's avatar

hrh king friday 13 · 733 weeks ago

I dare someone to post a missing connection for him. Maybe set him up with paint-huffing lady.
I had this happen to me by someone with a similar description, but it was on red line from Silver Spring toward DC one morning, so it could have just been a different guy. I felt the guy standing up close behind me as I was by the door, and while it's not so uncommon for people to crowd around the door, it just seemed a bit too close. When I felt something touch me twice, I turned around really fast and the guy backed off immediately and looked guilty of something. I wasn't sure what had just happened, but it felt creepy and smarmy. Blah!!! A woman who observed from behind thought the guy was trying to pick-pocket me and warned me to be careful about that. I didn't report anything, because I wasn't really sure what had happened and then read more about it in the City Paper maybe a few weeks later. It's called Frotteurism. Had I known more about this, I would have reported the guy right away when I had a fresh description of him, or even better, I would have taken his photo.
http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/sexist/2...
1 reply · active less than 1 minute ago
OMG that is how I felt I was just shocked, kept thinking i'm taking up to much of the seat but dang he had room and I would never suspected this from the "appearance" of this well dressed brief case carrying older man ;(
i had a guy take out his hard dick.. yeah it happens on metro. HOW DESPERATE ARE THESE GUYS?? holy crap. it's ridiculous and disgusting. really, rubbing up against girls on the train? go play with yourself and get on with your life.

anyway, yes, help the victim, be careful about approaching the guy.

yuck.
Don't you all have camera phones?
1 reply · active less than 1 minute ago
Actually, they did send pics, but they could have been anyone.
I think we can all agree this guy SLAYS the ladies.
My Name is Investigator Lang I work with the Metro Transit Police. I would like to inform all of you that the above offender was arrested today 3/30/2011 thanks to detailed post by Allie. If there is anymore victims I would like them to come foward. My email address is rlang@wmata.com. I appreciate any help anyone can give in this matter. Thanks.
2 replies · active less than 1 minute ago
Hooray! Thank you for catching this creep!
Good work. Thanks so much, I'm so relieved to hear that he was caught and that someone at metro (you) actually did something about this. I hope now the dc court system does its part and doesn't let him off with a slap on the wrist.
Y T Karashinski's avatar

Y T Karashinski · 732 weeks ago

There was one perv at the Fed triangle Station who used to grope himself -- I walked past him one day and said "hey Tiny!" and when I turned around-- LOL he was GONE!!!
OMG i was sitting on the Green line train and a short well dressed Asian guy set next to me, he started rubbing his leg next tomine, so I moved my leg he did it again, at this point I was shocked wondering what the heck so I straighten up as much as I could and then he put his hand in his pocket that was next to me and started moving it around, I took off my ear phones and was about to go off on him he jumped up and took off toward the back of the train we had just stopped he got off the train. I will never sit in the middle seat against the window again!!!
Something VERY similar used to happen to me all the time on the Orange line -- I think the guy (similar description to Allie's molester, but I don't know if he's hte same guy or not) got on at around Dunn-Loring and would stand just behind me and rub himself on my shoulder. I elbowed him a couple of times "accidentally on purpose" but it didn't seem to phase him. After a while I just didn't get on the Orange line train unless I knew I could get a window seat as it was just too gross. To be frank, I wasn't comfortable reporting it as I felt like I might have been wrong... but after reading these posts I wish I had now. I'm a big girl and can handle myself, but not everyone can say that. I'm glad this guy was at least caught!
something similar happened to me twice about 4-5 years ago on the red line towards shady grove. both times, it was during

rush hour [between 5-6 pm] on my way home from work...when the cars are always packed. the first time, i was pissed off

that someone kept leaning into me so closely from behind. i did not want to make a scene, but could not understand why (although packed) the person behind was so rude that they were hovering so closely it felt like they were touching me.
after reshuffling after the twinbrook stop, the annoyance followed as i tried to inch away. i kept trying to make eye contact with others surrounding to see if they could see what was going on, but everyone seemed oblivious and i felt like i was suffering alone, eventually hunching over. i felt a mixture of confusion, embarrassment and being pissed off all at the same time. it was a yucking feeling and i was glad because of winter i had at least the layer of my coat protecting me. after reaching shady grove, i turned around to glare, but i never got to see the person's face.

months later, it occurred a second time. friday, april 22...my birthday. i felt an unpleasantly familiar feeling and so my eyes darted frantically to different passengers trying to make contact for help. once again, see no evil, hear no evil. everyone seemed too engrossed with whatever they were doing. however, this time was to be different. there was an

angel on board. at the twinbrook or rockville stop, someone called out, "come over here!". i looked up and the woman was

speaking to me. she boldly called out, "i see what's going on, come over here." a path opened for me to join her against the wall near the doors. she told me she saw him do this to me before, but she was too far to help me. she said that other people saw as well, and she was annoyed with their indifference and unwillingness to get involved to help. she further explained that she's seen him do this before (not just red line) and she has submitted complaints in the past.

she suggested i contact the metro authorities to submit a complaint as well. i was a bit in shock the last after the whole incident and re-told a friend what had happened. he seemed like it was no big deal and so i felt that would be the attitude of metro and so, i never reported the incident.
something similar happened to me twice about 4-5 years ago on the red line towards shady grove. both times, it was during

rush hour [between 5-6 pm] on my way home from work...when the cars are always packed. the first time, i was pissed off

that someone kept leaning into me so closely from behind. i did not want to make a scene, but could not understand why (although packed) the person behind was so rude that they were hovering so closely it felt like they were touching me.
after reshuffling after the twinbrook stop, the annoyance followed as i tried to inch away. i kept trying to make eye contact with others surrounding to see if they could see what was going on, but everyone seemed oblivious and i felt like i was suffering alone, eventually hunching over. i felt a mixture of confusion, embarrassment and being pissed off all at the same time. it was a yucking feeling and i was glad because of winter i had at least the layer of my coat protecting me. after reaching shady grove, i turned around to glare, but i never got to see the person's face.

months later, it occurred a second time. friday, april 22...my birthday. i felt an unpleasantly familiar feeling and so my eyes darted frantically to different passengers trying to make contact for help. once again, see no evil, hear no evil. everyone seemed too engrossed with whatever they were doing. however, this time was to be different. there was an

angel on board. at the twinbrook or rockville stop, someone called out, "come over here!". i looked up and the woman was

speaking to me. she boldly called out, "i see what's going on, come over here." a path opened for me to join her against the wall near the doors. she told me she saw him do this to me before, but she was too far to help me. she said that other people saw as well, and she was annoyed with their indifference and unwillingness to get involved to help. she further explained that she's seen him do this before (not just red line) and she has submitted complaints in the past.

she suggested i contact the metro authorities to submit a complaint as well. i was a bit in shock the last after the whole incident and re-told a friend what had happened. he seemed like it was no big deal and so i felt that would be the attitude of metro and so, i never reported the incident.
1 reply · active less than 1 minute ago
Do you have a physical description?
I was hoping this was the same guy that pinned me against a window and repeatedly tried (and was pretty successful) to grope my boobs - but his MO and clothing description is different (and it happened on the red line).

When I reported the incident I was blown off and essentially blamed for not getting up and moving. I don't have a whole lot of confidence in metro to be able to handle incidents like this.
About two weeks ago, leaving the Friendship Heights Metro (red line) and walking down Western Avenue from Wisconsin Avenue (near the Geico building) - only about a block and a half from the Metro - a random man walked up from behind, put his hand up my skirt and touched me in my crotch. He came around to my front and I thought he was going to pull me off into the bushes to rape me. I did not recognize the man, nor had I seen him riding the metro,. He could try to do this to other women. Luckily I screamed and ran, stopping cars on the road to help me, and he ditched the scene. Women, please be careful and keep your eyes open especially if you live in this neighborhood. He was African American, maybe 5'8'' in his 20s or 30s. The police took my report, but he has not been found.
Metro Rider's avatar

Metro Rider · 731 weeks ago

Allie,

So glad you got this guy arrested. He also groped me and I saw him grope several other women. I first noticed when it happened to me, and I couldn't believe it and second guessed myself that it was actually happening because the train was so crowded. I realized that I was groped when another metro rider told me that he saw the guy leaning towards me with his pelvis everytime I moved. This fits his description exactly, can't forget that lime green color.
2 replies · active 731 weeks ago
Please, please get in touch with Investigator Lang at rlang[at]wmata.com. They're looking for more witnesses and victims so that they can show that this man has a pattern of offending.
Echoing the above comment:

Please, please get in touch with Investigator Lang at rlang[at]wmata.com. They're looking for more witnesses and victims so that they can show that this man has a pattern of offending.
blah blah's avatar

blah blah · 714 weeks ago

shut the fuk up

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