One of the accused Metro slashers who went on a stampede through the transit system is a former foster child who was crashing at his friend’s Bronx home – until the friend drove him out, The Post learned.
18-year-old Joseph Foster crashed into friend Jahntonio Grant’s apartment at Soundview House until December, when Grant gave him the boot, he told The Post.
Grant, 23, said Foster has no family in the building and was in the city’s foster care system, but had signed himself out. He wanted to help the teenagers as they both went through the foster care system, Grant said.
“I was introduced to him by someone. I kept it in my cradle for a while and started seeing red flags, ”said Grant.
Grant did not specify what “red flags” he saw, but Foster said “the help he was given was not appreciated.”
Foster “seemed like a fine person at the time – so I wanted to help him,” Grant said.
“It’s crazy that all that stuff came to an end,” Grant said of Metro slashing. “He was very cold, yes he had his fair share of issues but who doesn’t?”
Police said Foster was one of four suspects involved in a random morning subway in Manhattan on Friday.
Three suspects, including Foster, were awaiting trial in Manhattan Criminal Court on Saturday.
According to sources, another person taken into custody is not being charged and is cooperating in the investigation. The NYPD on Saturday released surveillance video and a photo of another wanted suspect.
Grant said he was surprised to learn of Foster’s arrest because he had done small things to make money and he had a girlfriend.
“If he is doing these kinds of things right now, I don’t think there is any improvement …. I am a little disappointed. He is not someone I would ever extend my help to again,” Grant said.
Grant said: “Seeing that he went down that road, that bad road, I hope that there will be some click and some kind of change.”
Foster now faces one count of robbery and criminal possession of a weapon.
Law enforcement sources told The Post that Foster has an open case in The Bronx, according to public records, and was freed without bail in connection with a January arrest for a similar incident.
Additional reporting by Georgette Roberts and Joe Marino.
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