Woman admits crickets, worms spilling on subway was a stunt
People stand waiting on the platform at the West 4th Street subway station in Manhattan in New York City as the D train arrives on March 23, 2013. A woman claimed responsibility for releasing crickets on the D train on Aug. 25, 2016, saying it was a prank played out by actors to raise awareness of how people treat the homeless. Credit: JJLouis
A woman who caused chaos aboard a subway train by releasing a container of crickets and worms says it was all a prank.
Zaida Pugh tells the New York Post she had the episode videotaped "to show what homeless people go through."
The NYPD says it's still looking into whether Wednesday's incident was staged and whether Pugh and the woman on the train are the same person. If so, she could face charges.
Pugh told the Post on Friday that a friend intentionally flipped the container over. She says the passengers attacking her also were part of the stunt.
Startled passengers had crickets on their arms and worms wriggled on the floor.
Someone pulled the emergency brake, halting the train for 30 minutes. Pugh says that wasn't planned.
Out East with Doug Geed: Wine harvests, a fish market, baked treats and poinsettias NewsdayTV's Doug Geed visits two wineries and a fish market, and then it's time for holiday cheer, with a visit to a bakery and poinsettia greenhouses.
Out East with Doug Geed: Wine harvests, a fish market, baked treats and poinsettias NewsdayTV's Doug Geed visits two wineries and a fish market, and then it's time for holiday cheer, with a visit to a bakery and poinsettia greenhouses.
