Exum has now been charged with first-degree rape, along with theft of service for the fare evasion.

Exum has now been charged with first-degree rape, along with theft of service for the fare evasion.

Police in the Bronx say a 26-year-old man caught skipping a subway fare Friday night turned out to be wanted in connection with a recent rape case.

Officers at the Jackson Avenue station in the South Bronx stopped Zion Exum at about 10:19 pm after they saw him hop a turnstile, according to the New York Post. A quick check showed the Brooklyn resident was wanted for an assault on a woman earlier this month.

Investigators allege Exum attacked a 25-year-old woman at 4:05 am on September 13 near East 212th Street in the Williamsbridge section of the Bronx. Police said he briefly spoke with the victim before dragging her to the ground and raping her.

Exum has now been charged with first-degree rape, along with theft of service for the fare evasion.

The suspect’s record shows a long history with law enforcement. Police say he’s been arrested multiple times over the last few years, including a September 20 arrest in Queens tied to an August 29 assault. Other past charges include a September 25 assault, another assault in July 2025, a menacing charge in April 2024, and a 2021 criminal mischief case.

Sources also said an anonymous tip earlier this week helped identify Exum as a suspect in the September rape before Friday’s arrest.