Rego Park Man Indicted After Groping Woman Inside Subway Car: DA

FOREST HILLS, QUEENS — A man from Rego Park was indicted Friday after he groped a woman at knifepoint inside a subway car last month, Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz said.

Abel Pita Aviles, 36, was charged with sexual abuse and criminal possession of a weapon after he groped a 24-year-old woman inside a subway car on the M train on Nov. 11 about 8:45 a.m., prosecutors said.

Pita Aviles faces up to 25 years in prison if convicted, Katz said.

As the subway car approached the 36th Street station, Pita Aviles demanded money and the 24-year-old’s phone while pointing a knife at her in November, the district attorney said.

The straphanger gave Pita Aviles her phone and cash, and he then pinned her to the subway seat and groped her before he fled, prosecutors said.

The 36-year-old was arrested on Nov. 15, Katz said.