Burglar Escapes Police Custody in East Hills

A burglar found hiding inside an East Hills home was able to break free from police custody and flee the scene on Saturday, police said.

According to authorities, officers received a call for a residential alarm and arrived to the Wildwood Lane home to find that the rear door of the house was open at 4:52 p.m.

Police searched the home to find a man hiding on the floor in one of the bedrooms and when the officers attempted to put the man into custody, he resisted arrest and attempted to take one officer’s service weapon, police said.

The burglar was able to break free and flee the home after a continued struggle, police said. Authorities searched the area and were unable to locate the man.

Police described the burglar as black, 6 feet 1 inches tall, 28-35 years old, with a stocky build, curly hair, and wearing a black jacket and black pants.

Both officers suffered non-life threatening injuries and one had to be taken to an area hospital for treatment.

Detectives request anyone with information regarding this incident to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-244-TIPS. All callers will remain anonymous.