A suspected newsstand robber fleeing police inside an Upper East Side subway station died when he leaped onto the subway tracks and hit the third rail, police say.

The 19-year-old suspect, Shawn Jackson, allegedly robbed a newsstand at 57th Street and Lexington Avenue Monday evening, then fled officers on patrol who were alerted to the robbery, police said.

Jackson entered the subway station at 59th Street, and ran down the stairs to the northbound 4 and 5 express train tracks, with cops following him, police said.

He then jumped onto the tracks in an apparent attempt to escape the officers, and that's when he hit the third rail, according to police.

He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Jackson has been arrested 36 times and was arrested as recently as March, according to law enforcement sources.