Joyrider Justine Randall-Pizarro, an 18-year-old who has made quite a name for herself in the Queens transit criminal scene, was arrested for allegedly commandeering the MTA train last week. This marks her 12th arrest this year.
It happened around 4 a.m. on June 17 when Pizarro entered a locked N train at Astoria’s Broadway station and took it to 36th Avenue.
Law enforcement sources describe her as having reddish-orange hair and wearing a matching hat, along with a distinctive black crocodile print outfit. She reportedly accessed the train by passing the conductor and parking it in a layup truck at the station before her unauthorized joyride.
According to investigators, Pizarro fled the scene after her stunt. Reports suggest she may have used a key to operate the train.
During questioning after her arrest on Tuesday, she confessed to hijacking the train while video chatting. She mentioned that she had a key available for accessing it.
“I mean, it’s close to Astoria. Why not take a shot?” she told the detectives, as noted in a complaint filed at Queens Crown Court. “When I got to Broadway, there was a layup train there. I was just hanging out and thought, why not?”
She continued, “We kinda lost our minds and ended up on FaceTime while I was driving.” Just a casual admission, right? “I just drove it to 36th Avenue and got off.” Quite something, really.
Pizarro added, “I don’t take them myself; people get keys for me. I think they usually do it for themselves, though.” There’s a certain logic—or lack thereof—in her thought process.
NYPD Chief Joseph Kenny highlighted that Pizarro has been arrested numerous times this year, with most charges related to robbery, reckless endangerment, and theft from the transit system. He remarked, “This individual is essentially a repeat offender who keeps breaking into trains.” It seems she’s developed a habit of moving them around and taking items like keys and equipment.
Earlier this month, on June 23, she was caught attempting to steal a personal bag at the last station. Prosecutors requested bail amounts ranging from $20,000 to $60,000, but the judge let her go on her own recognizance.
The allegations don’t stop there; on June 1, she was reported controlling another train for a somewhat reckless spin in Brooklyn. Again, bail requests were met with supervision rather than detention.
Back in late May, Pizarro was charged with using pepper spray against MTA workers on a train, while earlier in the month she had stolen keys and other gear from train operator cabins.
Interestingly, despite her numerous offenses, prosecutors have struggled to keep her detained as judges frequently grant supervised release. There’s also potential for the upcoming cases to be consolidated, according to the DA’s office.
