Prisoner Who Escaped Police Custody Back Under Arrest In The Bronx

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- The NYPD says a prisoner who escaped police custody in the Bronx is back under arrest.

Police said 27-year-old Kevin Taylor fled from officers at Saint Barnabas Hospital, where he was being treated Friday morning.

More than 10 hours later, he was arrested Friday night at home in the North Bronx after police received a tip, CBS2's Valerie Castro reported.

Taylor was first taken into custody Thursday after police stopped his vehicle for a traffic violation. Officers allegedly saw a weapon in the vehicle in plain view, and a further search found another weapon and drugs.

Taylor was taken to the 52nd Precinct where he complained of feeling ill. Officers then took him to the hospital.

When he got to the hospital, he asked to used the bathroom. Sources say Taylor was using the bathroom with an officer posted outside the door when they say Taylor threw a liquid at the officer and then ran past him right out of the hospital, CBS2's Janelle Burrell reported.

The NYPD said Taylor had one cuff on when he escaped on foot in an unknown direction. Construction worker Alex Pena saw a group of officers racing to try to catch up to Taylor moments later, but he was too fast.

"He was running -- really running," resident Alex Pena said. "But police couldn't catch him."

A swarm of law enforcement responded, getting a tip that Taylor might be hiding in an abandoned house a couple of blocks from the hospital. Homes were also searched on Bassford and Bathgate avenues near East 183rd Street, but Taylor wasn't there.

"Down the hill and that way to that street," said Pena. "He went that way and turned. They didn't see him no more."

People who live in the area are eagerly waiting for Taylor to be caught.

"It's a little scary," said resident Wanda Sparks. "Not just for myself but for my neighbors."

"I'm pretty sure they'll catch him," said resident Louis Vega. "You can't get too far with handcuffs."

According to police, Taylor was arrested Thursday on criminal possession of a weapon, resisting arrest, criminal possession of a controlled substance and criminal possession of marijuana charges. He has dozens of prior arrests.

He is the third prisoner to escape from NYPD custody this year, CBS2's Dave Carlin reported. In 2017, there were 14 escapes.

There was another high-profile case back in 2015 when Tareek Arnold ran from cops. The attempted murder suspect was caught several weeks later.

Retired NYPR Det. Sgt. Joseph Giacalone said there are protocols in place to prevent suspects from taking off, and Taylor's bathroom break could have been avoided.

"This is what they make bedpans for," he told Carlin. "Person gets one cuff to the bed, depending if they're right-handed or left-handed, and you give them a bedpan. It is what it is. They're a prisoner."

Anyone with information is asked to call the NYPD's Crime Stoppers Hotline at 800-577-TIPS or for Spanish 1-888-57-PISTA (74782), visit www.nypdcrimestoppers.com or text tips to 274637(CRIMES) then enter TIP577.

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