Prisoner Escape Shuts Subway Down in NYC

Prisoner shuts subway: A prisoner who escaped from custody in New York City prompted a massive police manhunt that shut the subway down.
Prisoner Escape Shuts Subway Down in NYC
Jack Phillips
5/6/2013
Updated:
7/18/2015

Prisoner shuts subway: A prisoner who escaped from custody in New York City prompted a massive police manhunt that forced authorities to shut the subway down.

Vincens Vuktilaj, a 18-year-old man who stole a piece of jewelry, was captured by the New York City Police Department on Monday, reported the New York Times.

CBS 2 posted store surveillance footage showing Vuktilaj running to freedom.

Without shoes and while handcuffed, Vuktilaj scurried through Harlem and subway tunnels in an attempt to evade capture. Police caught him around five hours later.

Vuktilaj allegedly stole two necklaces from two older women in the Bronx in April.

His escape prompted the Metropolitan Transportaion Authority to shut down several lines, leaving passengers stranded. He ran into the 145th Street A, C, B, and D subway station.

“I hope they caught that guy, but don’t fire me from work,” a passenger told CBS. “We’ve been in here two hours,” referring to an A train that was between stations when the power was shut off.

“They said they were investigating a matter and evacuated us to this train, and that’s about it,” said another.

He was found at 135th Street and Saint Nicholas Avenue after leaving the station.

“Two cops were chasing him and he ran under the car,” a witness told NBC New York. “The cop showed his leg and put up his gun, told him to get on the ground. Cops came and arrested him, and they took him.”

Jack Phillips is a breaking news reporter with 15 years experience who started as a local New York City reporter. Having joined The Epoch Times' news team in 2009, Jack was born and raised near Modesto in California's Central Valley. Follow him on X: https://twitter.com/jackphillips5
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