On Tuesday, Felix Rojas, 44, was arraigned. In total, he’s been charged with attempted grand larceny for an alleged crime committed within the confines of a New York City subway car. This arraignment comes just three weeks after Rojas’ arrest for allegedly sexually abusing a male victim. The attack took place on a southbound R train right before the Whitehall Street station in Manhattan.
As terrible as it is, what happened on April 8, when the victim entered the train and went on a leisurely several hour long ride. By 10:50 PM, the victim appeared unconscious. The victim, a former construction worker and restaurant cook, had battled alcoholism. His estranged wife, Teresa, told his story with deep understanding, exposing the cracks in the world around him that broke him.
On Sunday, police arrested Rojas for the fatal incident. Surveillance video is said to have recorded two men robbing the victim’s dead body, suggesting perhaps that Andrew’s death was the result of more suspicious circumstances. Authorities claimed that Rojas followed an abusive track on the victim after getting onto the same train about 30 minutes later. To be fair, his actions were simply stopping and resuming as the trains made all the stops, which made it possible for other riders to board and disembark.
Assistant district attorney, Antonio Melchionna made statements to Rojas’ arraignment in court, noting how serious the matters were.
“Now I really don’t have a dad.” – the 13-year-old son
Teresa’s statements further highlight the emotional toll the crash has taken on the victim’s family.
“I didn’t realize that’s what they were going to tell me – until it was too late,” – Teresa
Since this incident, police have been vigorously pursuing suspects. That’s why what Rojas did has gotten so much attention—not just for it being shocking, but for the tragic outcome of the victim.