Crime & Safety

Handcuffed Man Escapes Police Cruiser on Nesconset Highway

Cops find man attempting to return to his home on Monday morning.

A handcuffed man escaped from the back of a police cruiser late Sunday night, leading officers on a five-hour manhunt through Smithtown streets.

Suffolk County police said officers were bringing a man to Stony Brook University Hospital for a mental evaluation when they came across a motor vehicle accident shortly before midnight on Sunday. The accident was at Nesconset Highway/Route 347 and Plaisted Avenue in Smithtown, ABC Local reported.

One officer got out of the police cruiser to set road flares while the other officer went to help those injured in the crash. The handcuffed man got out of the car and started running, they said.

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Police called in helicopter and K-9 units to search nearby streets for the missing man. He was not considered a dangerous threat to the public, police said.

The missing man was found by police at approximately 5 a.m. attempting to enter his home. Cops brought the man to Stony Brook University Hospital for a mental evaluation.

Then man is not begin charged for his escape as of Monday morning, police said. 

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