In a shocking twist beneath the city’s bustling streets, a migrant man was caught using spy glasses to film under a woman’s skirt at Grand Central subway station during rush hour. Alert plainclothes officers, noticing his strange behavior, moved quickly to stop the act. The accused, Roberto Perez Cuji, 33, from Ecuador, was charged with unlawful surveillance. Though the charges stunned commuters, he was released without bail under state law. The incident has sparked concerns over personal privacy and growing misuse of smart devices in public spaces.

📌 STORY HIGHLIGHTS

• Suspect: Roberto Perez Cuji, 33, Ecuadorian migrant

• Location: Grand Central–42nd Street subway station (4, 5, 6 line)

• Incident Time: Approx. 5:00 p.m. during weekday rush hour

• Allegation: Used smart glasses to record under woman’s skirt

• Cops Involved: NYPD plainclothes transit officers

• Charge: Unlawful surveillance

• Legal Status: Pleaded not guilty, released without bail under current NY State law

In a disturbing incident that unfolded during the evening rush at one of New York City’s busiest transit hubs, a migrant was arrested for allegedly using high-tech glasses to secretly record under a woman’s skirt, according to police. The suspect, identified as 33-year-old Roberto Perez Cuji from Ecuador, was apprehended by plainclothes NYPD officers at the Grand Central–42nd Street subway station — a location that sees thousands of commuters passing through daily.

According to authorities, the troubling episode took place around 5 p.m. on the 4, 5, and 6 train platform, where Perez Cuji had been lingering for an extended period without boarding a train. His loitering behavior drew the attention of observant undercover transit officers, who had been deployed to monitor suspicious activity during the high-traffic hours.

Police say Perez Cuji was seen acting peculiarly, pacing and watching female straphangers but making no effort to catch a train. Eventually, officers observed him remove a pair of smart glasses from his person, activate the recording function, and allegedly place the glasses under a woman’s skirt as she climbed the station’s staircase.

That’s when the officers moved in. Acting swiftly and without incident, they took Perez Cuji into custody on the spot. He was charged with unlawful surveillance — a serious offense in New York, where privacy violations using concealed recording devices have become an increasing concern.

Following his arrest, Perez Cuji was arraigned in Manhattan Criminal Court on Thursday morning. Records show that he pleaded not guilty to the charge. Despite the alarming nature of the allegations, Perez Cuji was released without bail due to the current classification of the crime under state law — which does not make it bail-eligible.

The NYPD has not confirmed whether the footage was recovered or how long the suspect had been allegedly engaging in this type of activity. The case now moves forward through the court system as prosecutors prepare to present further evidence.

The use of hidden camera devices — especially in crowded public areas like the subway — has raised alarm among both law enforcement and advocacy groups, prompting calls for tighter surveillance and updated laws. Transit riders, especially women, have increasingly voiced concerns over personal safety and privacy violations underground.

The unsettling incident at Grand Central underscores the growing misuse of technology in public spaces and the critical role of undercover law enforcement in protecting commuter safety. While the accused now faces legal proceedings, the case has reignited debate around surveillance laws, privacy rights, and the vulnerabilities faced by women in crowded urban transit systems. As New Yorkers navigate their daily commutes, the demand for sharper vigilance and stronger safeguards only grows louder.