Teens Steal Subway Trains Using $10 Skeleton Keys

Conquesting, a dangerous new trend, allows young people to take control of NYC subway cars, raising security concerns.

Apr. 10, 2026 at 7:11am

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An extreme close-up photograph of a subway car control panel, with dramatic shadows and highlights created by the harsh flash lighting, conveying a sense of the power and complexity of the subway system's inner workings.A close-up view of the control panel inside a New York City subway car, highlighting the vulnerability of the system to unauthorized access.NYC Today

In a concerning new trend, teenagers in New York City have been breaking into subway trains and taking them for unauthorized joyrides, using easily obtained skeleton keys that can unlock subway car doors. These incidents, known as 'conquesting,' have surged in recent years, with over 30 reported cases in 2023 alone. The ease with which these young people can access and operate the trains has raised serious security risks and questions about the MTA's ability to safeguard its system.

Why it matters

The rise of 'conquesting' highlights major vulnerabilities in the New York City subway system's security, which could potentially be exploited by more malicious actors. The ability of teenagers to easily obtain keys and take control of trains not only endangers the perpetrators themselves, but also transit workers and passengers. This trend raises concerns about the broader safety and security of one of the world's largest public transportation networks.

The details

Conquesting involves breaking into the conductor's cab of a subway car, manipulating the controls, and filming the experience to post online. Teenagers have been able to obtain the necessary skeleton keys, which can be purchased online for as little as $2-$10, and use them to unlock subway car doors. In some cases, the teens have even taken the trains for short joyrides, disrupting service. The MTA has responded by retrofitting more cars with cameras and installing new locks, but the full scope of the security upgrades and their costs remain unclear.

  • In 2023, the NYPD began tracking unauthorized subway train movements, recording 2 incidents that year.
  • In 2024, the number of reported incidents jumped to 23.
  • In the first 3 months of 2025, there have already been a dozen reported incidents of subway train theft.

The players

Gael

An 18-year-old from Williamsburg, Brooklyn who started conquesting when he was 15 years old.

J.

A 19-year-old conquestor in Brooklyn who monetized his obsession by making and selling subway keys online.

B.

A 19-year-old from Corona, Queens who began conquesting at age 15 while living in Brooklyn, driven by his fascination with trains.

Demetrius Crichlow

The president of New York City Transit, who stated that unauthorized train movements generally don't make it far and have not resulted in any reported injuries, but acknowledged that the behavior is 'dangerous and totally unacceptable.'

Kim McLaurin

A 42-year-old maintenance train operator who works at the 207th Street rail yard in Upper Manhattan, and fears for the safety of herself and her colleagues due to the rise in conquesting incidents.

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What they’re saying

“All it takes is a skeleton key. You can buy them on Amazon.”

— Gael, 18-year-old conquestor

“It's crazy. I don't trust the M.T.A. if I can buy a $2 key on Amazon and open the cab doors.”

— J., 19-year-old conquestor

“Yes, it is illegal what you are doing. But the only reason is because there is a very big interest in these trains.”

— B., 19-year-old conquestor

“Most people don't understand how massive these trains are, and if they don't know what they are doing they could possibly get electrocuted. It would be very devastating to hear that one of us didn't make it home because our security is lacking.”

— Kim McLaurin, Maintenance train operator

“If kids could do it, what could a determined terrorist in these times do?”

— John Chiarello, President of the Transportation Workers Union Local 100

What’s next

The MTA has stated that it is working to install more security cameras and develop biometric controls to prevent unauthorized access to subway trains, but a timeline for the full rollout of these measures has not been provided.

The takeaway

The rise of 'conquesting' in New York City's subway system highlights serious vulnerabilities that could be exploited by malicious actors, putting both transit workers and passengers at risk. While the MTA is taking steps to improve security, the ease with which teenagers can obtain the necessary tools to commandeer trains raises broader questions about the overall safety and resilience of one of the world's largest public transportation networks.