Serial Subway Sex Abuser Busted: District Attorney

A Bronx man was hit with sexual abuse charges for three incidents of rubbing up against women on crowded subways during rush hour. The cold-case sex crimes, one which happened nearly a decade ago, were solved using a DNA databank, the district attorney said.

Darnell Hardware, 26, of the Bronx, pleaded not guilty Tuesday in Manhattan Criminal Court to three counts of sexual abuse in the first degree, forcible touching and criminal mischief in the fourth degree for three incidents on the subways in 2002 and 2005, Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance said.

In each of the instances, Hardware rubbed his bare groin against the women and fled from the train.

Authorities were able to solve the cold case by matching DNA he left behind on the women's clothing or bodies during each of the episodes against his DNA profile when he was arrested for something else.

Vance hailed the arrest as a triumph for forensic science solving a case that would normally go unsolved.

"This case represents a small but significant step towards ensuring the safety and protection of women on the subway,” said Vance in a statement. “These are our wives and sisters, mothers and daughters, colleagues and friends, and they should not ride the subway in fear of being sexually assaulted.  Forensic science and law enforcement together make New York a safer city.”

Bail was set for $7,500, but Hardware was already in custody on other separate charges, the district attorney said. Messages were left for his attorney for comment.

 The incidents stretch back to nearly a decade ago. According to Vance's office:

  • The first incident occurred on June, 25, 2002 at about 8 a.m. on a Lexington Avenue express train between 14th Street and 42nd Street. 
  • The second incident happened on a No. 1 train just north of 96 Street during the evening rush hour. 
  • The third incident took place on Dec. 9. 2005 at 7:30 a.m. on an uptown Lexington Avenue express train just below 86 Street.
Contact Us