Lunatic ex-con who torched NYC straphanger grimaces as judge sets bail at $250K
The crazed firebug who allegedly torched a straphanger on a subway train over the weekend gave a vacant grimace in Manhattan court Monday as a judge set his bail at $250,000 — and prosecutors revealed he’s an ex-con with a lengthy rap sheet.
Nile Taylor, 49 — who’s accused of tossing a flaming can of alcohol at Petrit Alijaj, 23, Saturday — has previously done prison time for gun and forgery busts, prosecutors said in Manhattan Criminal Court.
Evidence in the case of his latest fiery attack is overwhelming, assistant District Attorney Aryan Ahmadian said.
“This is a strong case,” Ahmadian told Judge Cori Weston. “The defendant was arrested shortly after the incident on Saturday afternoon, and he was in possession of multiple lighters, a bottle containing rubbing alcohol.”
During the wild assault, Taylor allegedly set the floor of a No. 1 train ablaze when he tossed the flaming liquid at Alijaj — leaving him with severe burns on his face and chest, authorities said.
Wearing a gray sweatshirt and sneakers, Taylor didn’t say a word as Weston set his bail.
He stared straight ahead blankly and, at times, down at the floor during the brief hearing.
“Considering the defendant’s activities and history of charges here, his criminal-conviction history… I’m going to set what the people asked, which is $250,000 cash,” Weston said.
Taylor was previously convicted of criminal possession of a loaded firearm and forgery and was sentenced to more than two years in state prison, Ahmadian said.
In a separate case, Taylor was allegedly captured on surveillance camera footage hurling two cans of flammable liquid at a group of people at the West 28th Street subway on Feb. 5.
Taylor allegedly “identified himself” in the video footage and the police investigation is ongoing, Ahmadian said.
Alijaj and his fiancee were riding a No. 1 train at the West Houston and Varick streets station at 2:45 p.m. Saturday when Taylor allegedly chucked the flaming liquid at him, setting his shirt on fire and burning up to 30% of his body.
The victim later told The Post that he used his body to block his fiance from the flames.
In total, Taylor was hit with two assault charges and a menacing charge in the subway fire attack case.
“Without warning…[He] attacked two strangers inside of that subway train by throwing the burning liquid onto them,” Ahmadian said in court Monday. “Burning liquid lands on the floor of the subway station, causing the floor of the subway station to catch on fire.”
A homeless man living at the Harlem shelter where Taylor had recently stayed told The Post the pyromaniac was a quiet loner who likely had a dangerous side bubbling below the surface.
“He just sat and waited for meals. He wasn’t social. He just sat by himself,” said the unhoused man, who gave his name as Stefan, 61.
“Usually on the [meal] line you’ll say, ‘Hey, how was your day?’ or ‘Hey, did you read any good books lately?’ …. [But] he was just always quiet,” said Stefan, who said he never saw Taylor act out at 55 Central Park North.
“The quiet ones — still waters run deep. You see the guy who’s quiet and nice — and he’s the guy that’s got 32 bodies buried,” he said.
In court Monday, Taylor was also arraigned on a petit larceny charge for allegedly stealing an iPhone inside of the subway station.
Taylor’s lawyer, Gretchen Resser, was silent in court aside from asking the judge about the date of the next hearing.
She didn’t return The Post’s request for comment Monday.
Taylor is due back in court on May 31.
