NJTPD ARREST MAN IN ASSAULT OF TRAIN CONDUCTOR

For Immediate Release: September 12, 2016

NEWARK, NJ --  The New Jersey Transit Police Department arrested a man who assaulted a train conductor Sunday after being asked for a train ticket.

22-year-old Peer Fikhman, who is an Israeli citizen, was arrested and charged with aggravated assault on a conductor and theft of services for non-payment of fare.

At approximately 2:40 p.m. Sunday, September 11, Fikhman boarded a train at the Radburn Station. He hid in a restroom to avoid a conductor collecting tickets from customers.  Fikhman exited the restroom after 25 minutes and punched the conductor in the face when asked for his ticket.

New Jersey Transit Police were called and met the train at Secaucus Junction, where Fikhman was arrested and charged.  The conductor had a visible mark on his face but refused medical attention.

Fikhman was taken to the Hudson County Jail, where bail was set at $5,000 with a
10 percent option. He was still being held at the jail as of late this afternoon.

Aggravated assault on a train conductor, who is clearly identifiable and engaged in the course of his duties, carries up to five years in prison and fines up to $7,500.  Theft of service carries a jail term of up to one year.

The charges and allegations contained in this release are merely accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

About NJ TRANSIT

NJ TRANSIT is the nation's largest statewide public transportation system providing more than 938,500 weekday trips on 257 bus routes, three light rail lines, 12 commuter rail lines and through Access Link paratransit service. It is the third largest transit system in the country with 166 rail stations, 62 light rail stations and more than 19,000 bus stops linking major points in New Jersey, New York and Philadelphia.