Escaped Prisoner Leads to Neighborhood Hubbub

Standing at the northeast corner of Remsen and Clinton this morning, three NYPD vehicles, one of them a fire truck (with NYPD livery, not FDNY) roared up Clinton and turned left onto Remsen, causing no small amount of confusion and chaos at a busy time in the neighborhood.

A short time later, as I walked up Henry Street, approaching the intersection to cross Clark St., an NYPD van headed west on Clark did a U-turn and packed smack in the crosswalk in front of Penny Bridge. No lights, no sirens, and the two officers who descended the van were noticably unhurried.

I pointed out that the van was blocking the crosswalk; one of the officers offered a half-hearted smile and apology, saying, “We’re on a call.”

They strolled over to the 2/3 station, entering through the gate and waiting by the elevators. Whatever the call was, I decided, it couldn’t be that serious.

Turns out: well, yes, yes, it was, in fact, rather serious: an escaped prisoner.

From News 4 NY:

The prisoner, who had been arrested on an armed robbery charge, was being walked into Central Booking when he took off near Atlantic Avenue and Court Street around 11:30 a.m., law enforcement sources say. He was captured a few hours later.

No details are yet available on the prisoner’s identity or where he was found.

Photo: Teresa Genaro

Share this Story:

, , ,

  • Jorale-man

    There was a helicopter circling very low over the area where he reportedly escaped, at Court and Schermerhorn, for a while yesterday. And police were stationed all the way down to Pacific Street in Cobble Hill. He was handcuffed when he fled so you’d think he couldn’t have gotten too far.

  • Reggie

    Not a fire truck in NYPD livery but one of the 11 Emergency Service Unit’s heavy response vehicles. Judging from a photo on the Brooklyn Paper website, this was the South Brooklyn truck because it has a large “6” on the grill. And yes, it was the helicopter that tipped me off that something significant was happening.

  • Jorale-man

    I saw one of those blocking Pacific Street, too. Apparently they caught the guy. I’d be curious to know what the circumstances were.

  • Eddyde
  • Heightsguy77

    The description of him in the Brooklyn paper says he has cornrows. I just hope he’s not a white guy, because then he’ll also get in trouble for cultural appropriation…

  • Eddyde

    LOL

  • TeddyNYC

    Two screwups for the NYPD in less than 24 hours.

  • Eddyde

    Gross incompetents, announcing they apprehended him when in fact they had not. Puts the public at risk.

  • ws gilbert

    This is all the more reason why prisons should NOT be expanded in residential neighborhoods, which is what our, less than competent, mayor wants to do with the Brooklyn House of Detention. If Rikers has to be fixed, fix it and don’t put more prisoners in neighborhoods throughout the city.

  • Teresa

    Thanks for the correction. I think that I misunderstood the proper use of livery. And please tell me you didn’t take this photo from the Brooklyn Paper site!

  • Reggie

    I LOVE the use of “livery,” especially as applied to trains, planes and automobiles (to reference a film I have never seen). I linked to the photo (see blue text) and Disqus auto-inserted a copy into the comment. Technology!

  • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x7nPOzGeyaw Arch Stanton

    More NYMBY nonsense. The Brooklyn House of Detention is right next to the Criminal Court, the most logical location. You think transporting all the prisoners with court dates, back and forth every day from Rikers Island is somehow more efficient or safer? LOL.

  • William Gilbert

    I see, so let’s compromise the security of our neighborhood so that prisoners will have an easy commute. That make sense.

    I did not suggest getting rid of the Brooklyn House of Detention, just don’t expand it. Can’t you see the stupidity of the expansion of a jail in our neighborhood. I said don’t put MORE prisoners in our neighborhood. Read more carefully next time.

  • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x7nPOzGeyaw Arch Stanton

    It is not about the comfort of the prisoners, it’s about saving the enormous costs of such daily transports, manpower, traffic and pollution. Also it is safer, as the most vulnerable time of escape is the transport, loading and unloading of prisoners. Besides, if one does escape (which is extremely rare) they would want to get as far away from here as possible, not stick around. You should think more carefully the next time.