In a recent incident near Times Square, John Rote, a subway vigilante, fired shots at a mugger who was demanding money from a woman. Rote was later arrested, sparking controversy online. The mugger, Matthew Roesch, was also taken into custody. Twitter users expressed doubts about the competence of New York law enforcement. Rote is facing charges including criminal possession of a weapon, while Roesch faces attempted robbery charges. Rote’s lawyer argued that he was a concerned citizen and legally owned the gun he used. The case will be reviewed by a grand jury on November 14. Pallavi Kanungo reported
On the night of November 7th, at approximately 9:15 pm local time, a dramatic incident unfolded in front of the 49th Street N, R, W subway station near Times Square. The New York Post reported that a mugger, identified as Matthew Roesch, approached a 40-year-old woman and demanded money while holding the emergency gate open for her. Little did the mugger know that subway vigilante John Rote was nearby and witnessed the crime.
Upon seeing the woman in distress, Rote wasted no time and intervened, telling Roesch to “Get away from her!” Unfortunately, the mugger refused to comply with Rote’s demand, prompting the vigilante to take matters into his own hands. Rote reached into his backpack, retrieving his gun, and fired several rounds down the platform in an attempt to scare the mugger away.
The following day, Rote was apprehended by the police at his office on Varick Street. Surprisingly, he surrendered without any resistance and later admitted at the police station that he had indeed pulled the trigger of his revolver and discarded it in the East River after the incident. Roesch was also taken into custody on the same evening on charges of attempted robbery.
However, Rote’s arrest has ignited a wave of controversy online, with many netizens expressing doubts about the competence of the New York law enforcement system. Numerous individuals have voiced their opinion that the arrest was unjustified, arguing that it sends a message that people should not intervene when they witness a crime.
Providing more details about the incident, it has been revealed that Rote, a 43-year-old resident of Queens, noticed Roesch, a homeless man, attempting to mug the woman as she exited the subway station. Witnesses and police statements corroborate the woman’s account that the mugger blocked her path and demanded money. When she refused, Roesch allegedly became more aggressive, threatening to take her purse if she didn’t comply.
It was in this tense and dangerous situation that Rote stepped in to protect the woman. He warned the mugger to leave her alone, but when his warning fell on deaf ears, he resorted to using his firearm. Firing a couple of shots, Rote hoped to frighten Roesch and prevent any harm from coming to the woman.
After Rote’s arrest, Twitter exploded with reactions from concerned users who questioned the efficacy of the New York law enforcement in ensuring the safety of its citizens. Many expressed their dismay at Rote’s arrest, arguing that he had acted as a responsible and concerned citizen, looking out for the well-being of a fellow New Yorker.
It is important to note that Rote now faces charges that could potentially result in a three and a half year prison sentence. The charges include criminal possession of a weapon, criminal possession of a firearm, reckless endangerment, and menacing. Rote’s lawyer, Marie Calvert-Kilbane, has come forward to defend her client, stating that he had legally purchased the gun over ten years ago and possessed a license to carry it. She emphasized that Rote was simply a concerned citizen who wanted to protect others.
During a hearing at the Manhattan Criminal Court, Calvert-Kilbane argued that Rote should not be convicted, citing his clean criminal record and absence of any history of mental illness. In an attempt to secure a reasonable bail amount, Rote’s attorney pleaded for it not to exceed $2,000, highlighting his financial limitations and the fact that his family resides in West Virginia, making it difficult for them to assist him. However, the judge ultimately set the bail at $10,000 due to the seriousness of the charges and the potential flight risk posed by Rote’s out-of-state connections. A grand jury is scheduled to review the case on November 14th.
John Rote’s LinkedIn profile reveals that he has worked as a lead inventory and logistics technician at Panavision for 17 years. He graduated from Fairmont State University in West Virginia in 2005 with a degree in applied science.
As for the mugger, Matthew Roesch, he now faces up to seven years in jail for third-degree attempted robbery. The Post reports that Roesch has a criminal record and was previously arrested for illegally collecting and selling MetroCard swipes. After being arraigned at the same court as Rote, he was released under supervision until his next court appearance on December 20th. During his arraignment, Roesch claimed that one of the bullets fired by Rote had “ricocheted” off him.
The incident involving John Rote and Matthew Roesch serves as a case study that has ignited a debate about the role of citizens in combating crime. The outcome of the upcoming grand jury review will likely have significant implications for both the subway vigilante and the broader discussion on personal safety and intervention in criminal acts..