Manhattan District Attorney Alvin L. Bragg, Jr., today announced the indictment of PETER PERNA, 29, for allegedly pushing a 55-year-old man into a full height revolving door turnstile at a subway station in Chelsea, causing the metal bar to injure his head. PERNA is charged in a New York State Supreme Court indictment with one count of Assault in the First Degree and two counts of Assault in the Second Degree. [1]

“Our transit system is the heart of our city, and safety underground is paramount. While transit crime continues to trend downward in Manhattan, there is still more work to be done. We will utilize all the tools at our disposal to keep straphangers and transit workers safe, and I wish the victim a speedy recovery,” said District Attorney Bragg.    

According to court documents and statements made on the record in court, on March 17, 2025, at approximately 11:13 p.m., the victim was heading home from work and entered the subway station at West 23rd Street and 8th Avenue. PERNA, who entered the station shortly behind the victim, asked the victim, in substance, if the victim could open the emergency gate to help him gain access into the subway system after the victim swiped through. The victim declined to help PERNA and walked towards the turnstile.   

In response, PERNA ran towards the victim and slammed his body into the victim’s, pushing the victim into a full height revolving door turnstile. One of the metal bars of the turnstile hit and pierced the victim’s head, causing a laceration that required approximately 20 stitches. 

PERNA allegedly fled the scene and was arrested on March 27, 2025.  

Assistant D.A. Kristin Rainis is handling the prosecution of this case, under the supervision of Assistant D.A.s Jesse Matthews (Deputy Chief of Trial Bureau 30), Elizabeth Clerkin (Deputy Chief of Trial Bureau 30), Erin Tierney (Chief of Trial Bureau 30) and Executive D.A. Lisa DelPizzo (Chief of the Trial Division). Paralegal Isabella D’Angelo (Trial Bureau 30) and Senior Investigative Analyst Isabel Long (Trial Bureau 30) are providing invaluable assistance in this case.     

D.A. Bragg thanked the NYPD, particularly Detective Richard Barcia from the Manhattan Transit Crime Squad and officers from the 17th Precinct.    

 

Defendant Information:

PETER PERNA

New York, NY

Charged:

• Assault in the First Degree, a class B felony, one count
• Assault in the Second Degree, a class D felony, two counts

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[1] The charges contained in the indictment are merely allegations and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. All factual recitations are derived from documents filed in court and statements made on the record in court.