Teen arrested for setting homeless man ablaze on NYC subway

Thomas Tracy and Rocco Parascandola, New York Daily News on Dec 4, 2025

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NEW YORK — Cops have arrested a teenager for setting a homeless man on fire aboard a No. 3 train in Manhattan, police said Thursday.

Hiram Carrero, 18, is facing charges of attempted murder, arson, assault, criminal mischief and reckless endangerment for the shocking 3 a.m. attack Monday.

NYPD warrants officers apprehended Carrero Thursday morning after he was identified as a suspect in the arson. His arrest comes two days after cops released surveillance footage of the brazen firebug.

The 56-year-old victim was dozing aboard the northbound train when, as the doors opened at the 34th St.-Penn Station subway stop in Midtown, the teen entered his car, cops said.

Carrero is accused of setting the sleeping victim ablaze and then exiting the train before it left the station, police said.

An off-duty train conductor alerted police after spotting smoke billowing off the seated victim when the doors opened at the Times Square stop about five minutes later.

Police officers at the station poured water on the victim to extinguish the flames, sources said.

Medics rushed the man to NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center for treatment of severe leg burns, cops said.

Carrero lives in Harlem, although it wasn’t immediately clear if cops apprehended him at his house.

His arraignment in Manhattan Criminal Court was pending Thursday.

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