Metro-North Workers Stop Auto Theft at Southeast Station

MTA Metro-North Railroad today announced that three of its employees were recognized for preventing a car theft at the Harlem Line’s Southeast Station. Metro-North President Joseph Giulietti thanked the employees for their quick thinking and vigilance at today’s meeting of the MTA Board’s Metro-North Railroad Committee.

On Tuesday, June 21, during a routine station inspection, Metro-North Service Quality employees, John Daly, Daniel Thomas and Edward Jaeger observed a suspicious young man in the Southeast Station’s commuter parking lot, Metro-North officials said in the announcement.

Only a week before the incident, the three men had attended a voluntary seminar about security basics that’s offered to Metro-North employees.

“I noticed the individual walking up and down the lot, looking into vehicles and pulling door handles to see if any would open,” said Daly. “We recognized that a crime was about to occur, and we knew we had to act.”

The trio jumped into their car to get a closer look, while maintaining a safe distance.

Remaining at the scene and keeping their eyes on the situation, Daly, Thomas and Jaeger notified the MTA PD, and the MTA PD immediately sent a unit to investigate. The men were in their car waiting for the MTA PD arrive, when they saw the individual attempting to steal a blue Honda Civic right out of the lot.

“He was driving very erratically and nearly side-swiped other vehicles,” said Jaeger. “He seemed to be under the influence. We couldn’t let this guy leave the lot, not only was he stealing a car, but he would have been a menace on the road.”

It was then when the employees noticed a New York State police officer patrolling the lot.

“It was like a scene straight at of a TV crime drama,” said Thomas. “We waved him down, pointed at the Honda Civic and shouted, ‘stop that guy!’”

The Trooper blocked the suspect before he could escape, and he was arrested on a number of charges, including Grand Theft Auto, according to Metro-North officials.

“The actions of John Daly, Daniel Thomas and Edward Jaeger serve as a stronger reminder that when ‘You See something, Say Something,” said Giulietti. “These dedicated employees took that tag line to heart, and because of that, we are please today to recognize them for their exemplary efforts.”

PHOTO: MTA Chief of Police, Michael Coan, MTA Board member, Susan G. Metzger, Metro-North Service Quality employees, John Daly, Edward Jaeger and Daniel Thomas, Metro-North President, Joseph Giulietti)