'Off the Rails' documentary tells incredible true story

A man arrested nearly three dozen times for stealing MTA subway trains and buses is the focus of a new documentary. "Off the Rails" tells the remarkable true story of Darius McCollum.

His obsession with mass transit made him notorious. In 2015, it landed him at Rikers Island. And now McCollum is the star of the new documentary. Director Adam Irving tells the story of the 51-year-old's lifelong fascination with trains and buses -- one that began in Queens.

He absorbed so much that when he stole the buses and trains later in life he would make all the regular stops on schedule.

Psychologist Lauren Tobing-Puente says getting fixated on predictable things like the subway system is common for high-functioning Asperger's patients like McCollum.

While McCollum says he wants help for his condition, his attorney -- who was at Friday's screening -- says he won't get that help at Rikers.

McCollum is awaiting sentencing on his most recent arrest, which happened last November when he stole a Greyhound bus from the Port Authority Bus Terminal. If he does not reach a plea deal he could face up to 15 years to life in prison.

"Off the Rails" is showing at the Metrograph Theater the Lower East Side for the next week.