NYPD Catches Four Career Transit Criminals, Released Without Bail Under State Law

Four repeat offenders accused of targeting New York City subway riders were arrested by NYPD officers within a 24-hour period this week — only to be released without bail under current state law, as reported by The New York Post.

The arrests took place Monday and Tuesday in Manhattan, where officers recognized the suspects from prior incidents and outstanding cases, according to law enforcement sources.

By Wednesday, three of the four were back on the street, while the fourth was awaiting arraignment and also expected to be released without bail.

Here’s What They’re Not Telling You About Your Retirement

New York’s bail reform statutes prohibit judges from setting bail on most non-violent offenses, including many theft-related crimes.

“Most of these cases get [declined] by the DAs, or they’re released from court to go find another victim,” one frustrated cop told The Post. “There’s a ‘permission structure’ that’s created.”

Among those arrested was Joseph Zimmerman, 56, who has 47 prior arrests on his record. Zimmerman was taken into custody on Monday and charged in connection with two alleged pickpocketing incidents earlier this month.

According to sources, Zimmerman is accused of stealing a wallet from a man’s bag on Friday, making off with a debit card and $300 in cash.

This Could Be the Most Important Video Gun Owners Watch All Year

He is also charged with stealing $100 and a debit card from another victim on Feb. 2 and using the card to make purchases at a local Foot Locker.

Ronielle Howell, 34, who resides at a Brooklyn homeless shelter, was arrested Wednesday and charged with allegedly snatching a cellphone from a subway rider in Manhattan on Feb. 7.

Sources said Howell followed the victim into the subway system before taking the phone.

Luis Maldonado, 49, who has 12 prior arrests and was already on probation, was picked up Tuesday at a subway station at St. Nicholas Avenue and 184th Street.

Image Credit: Alexandre Caron – Shutterstock.com

Officers on patrol recognized Maldonado, who was wanted in connection with the alleged theft of a phone from a sleeping straphanger on Jan. 16.

The fourth suspect, Danny Rijos, 50, has at least 36 prior arrests.

He was arrested in the Bronx shortly before 1 a.m. Tuesday and charged with grand larceny and drug possession stemming from a Feb. 8 incident at White Plains Road and East 241st Street, sources said.

Rijos’ arraignment is pending because he is hospitalized. Authorities are also reviewing additional alleged crimes linked to him in multiple boroughs.

NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch has made subway crime a focus of enforcement efforts amid ongoing complaints from riders.

In September, The Post reported that 63 career transit offenders with more than 5,000 arrests combined had been charged with various crimes, yet only five remained behind bars at that time.

In March, police arrested five repeat transit offenders who had accumulated nearly 600 arrests as part of a quality-of-life initiative. Three of those individuals were temporarily jailed.

According to NYPD statistics, transit crime across the five boroughs has decreased 7% over the past two years. However, crime in the transit system is up 11% so far this year compared with the same period last year.

Through Sunday, police reported 293 transit offenses in 2026, compared to 264 during the same time span in 2025.

Warning: Account balances and purchasing power no longer tell the same story. Know in 2 minutes if your retirement is working for you.

The opinions expressed by contributors and/or content partners are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of LifeZette. Contact us for guidelines on submitting your own commentary.