Contractor arrested for posting an unauthorized tour of the subway tunnel on social media while posing as an MTA employee

LOWER EAST SIDE, Manhattan (WABC) – An MTA contractor was arrested after giving his social media followers an unauthorized tour of a Lower East Side subway station last month.

Israel Santiago, 62, posted a TikTok video of himself in the abandoned tunnel of Bowery Station.

Disguised as a New York City transit employee, Santiago went live on July 29 at around 8:15 a.m. with his “dangerous adventures.”

A TikTok viewer alerted the MTA last week, triggering an investigation.

Santiago was observed on Wednesday using an emergency exit at the Atlantic Avenue-Barclays Center station in Downtown Brooklyn without authorization.

At the time of his arrest, he was dressed as an MTA employee, wearing an MTA cap, vest, shirt, and keys that he was not allowed to possess.

He also had a MetroCard, which was only issued to MTA employees.

He was charged with identity fraud, trespassing, possession of stolen property, forgery, possession of forged documents and possession of burglary tools.

Santiago is an MTA contractor hired to work in the subway system, but he is not allowed into the Bowery Station tunnel or the areas of the Barclays Center where he was caught.

Statement from MTA spokesman Lucas Bejarano:

“Impersonating a public transit employee and wearing a uniform while entering restricted areas without proper authorization and training is a serious crime that can endanger real subway employees, the public and emergency responders if something goes wrong. This is not a reality show and we are grateful to the NYPD for their excellent investigative work in giving this wannabe a more fitting costume – handcuffs.”