Suspect Accused of Setting Subway Rider on Fire Held on $250,000 Bail
ICARO Media Group
Title: Suspect Accused of Setting Subway Rider on Fire Held on $250,000 Bail
In a shocking incident that has left commuters in Manhattan shaken, Nile Taylor appeared in criminal court on Monday, where he was ordered to be held on $250,000 cash bail for allegedly setting a subway rider on fire. This arraignment comes after Taylor was involved in two similar incidents in the subway system.
The 49-year-old suspect was riding a southbound No. 1 subway train on Saturday afternoon when he allegedly ignited a can of alcohol and threw it, hitting 23-year-old Petrit Alijaj. Alijaj suffered severe burns all over his body, and in an exclusive interview with Eyewitness News, he expressed his trauma, stating that he had never witnessed anything like this except in movies.
During Taylor's court appearance, it was revealed that another person, a woman who was with Alijaj, was also burned when she was hit with the same liquid. After the attack, Taylor allegedly seized the opportunity to steal an iPhone that a woman had dropped. Fortunately, the police were able to use the stolen phone to track and apprehend him. At the time of his arrest, Taylor was found to be in possession of multiple lighters and alcohol.
This is not the first time Taylor has found himself in legal trouble. Court records show that he has two prior felony convictions, including forgery and criminal possession of a firearm, for which he served a one-year term in state prison. Additionally, Taylor has previously been incarcerated for criminal possession of a weapon and attempted forgery in Suffolk County.
In a separate incident on February 5th, Taylor allegedly chased three men in the 28 St station in Chelsea and threw a lit container at them on the southbound No. 1 platform. Thankfully, the container missed its intended targets and fell to the ground, causing no harm.
Taylor is scheduled to appear in court again on May 31st for further proceedings. The seriousness of the charges against him and his prior convictions indicate a troubling pattern of criminal behavior. The subway system, a vital mode of transportation for millions of New Yorkers, is at the center of these disturbing incidents, leaving residents concerned about their safety during their daily commute.
Authorities continue to investigate the motive behind Taylor's alleged attacks, as well as any possible connections between the two incidents. The victims involved are expected to receive necessary medical treatment and support as they recover from their injuries.
As this case moves forward, the community waits with bated breath for justice to be served and for stricter measures to be implemented to safeguard the well-being of subway riders in the future.