PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — SEPTA is asking the public to step up and help keep fellow riders safer, after a woman was sexually assaulted onboard one of its trains last week.
"What we want everyone to be is angry and join us in being resolute," said SEPTA Police Chief Thomas Nestel.
He explained that riders didn’t intervene or even report when a woman was sexually assaulted onboard the Market-Frankford line train which was headed into 69th Street Station in Upper Darby on October 14.
"There were people witnessing the act with phones in their hands," Nestel said.
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A criminal complaint names Fiston Ngoy, 35, also known as Fiston Mukombola, as the suspect charged in the case.
"When you see inappropriate behavior that you wouldn't want your 10-year-old to see, call the police," Nestel said.
He explained the SEPTA employee who intervened and helped police capture the alleged attacker did so quickly, but he wants witnesses in these situations to step up.
"Hit the emergency button, or use the SEPTA Transit Watch App," Nestel added.
"They report it and let the law enforcement come in," said SEPTA General Manager Leslie Richards. She cited that police were able to capture the alleged attacker within three minutes of it being reported by the employee.
Nestel said he hopes that with these emergency safety measures taken and used, SEPTA riders will not only feel safer, but be safer.
