Crime & Safety

UPDATE: Escaped Brooklyn Murder Suspect Caught

Police are looking for Brandon Santana, 24, who escaped at 2 a.m. Thursday morning from the 78th Precinct.

Update, Jan. 25, 5:40 p.m.: Police arrested Brandon Santana around 3:15 p.m. on 3rd Avenue near E. 173rd Street in the Bronx.

Original story, Jan. 24: The NYPD is seeking the public's assistance in finding a man suspected of murder who escaped from the 78th Precinct station house early Thursday morning.

Police were questioning 24-year-old Brandon Santana, at the Prospect Heights precinct, which is on Bergen Street and Sixth Avenue, about a 2010 street brawl that left one person dead, when he escaped, according to the New York Times

Find out what's happening in Prospect Heights-Crown Heightswith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Police were taking the man from the holding cell to a bathroom, when Santana shoved the officer to the ground and fled. The officer recieved a minor injury to his elbow, the Times reported.

Police are still investigating whether Santana was wearing handcuffs when he escaped or how he managed to make it out of the station, according to the Times.

Find out what's happening in Prospect Heights-Crown Heightswith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Santana was arrested on Jan. 23 in connection to the murder of Alexander Santiago on Aug. 1, 2010, and is described as standing 5-foot-11, weighing approximately 200 lbs. with short black hair and brown eyes.

He was last seen wearing a brown hooded jacket, blue jeans, and white sneakers.

Anyone with information in regards to this incident is asked to call Crime stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477). The public can also submit their tips by logging onto the Crime stoppers website at www.NYPDCrimeStoppers.com or by texting their tips to 274637 (CRIMES) then enter TIP577.

All calls are strictly confidential.


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