NEW YORK (1010 WINS) — A man who was in custody for weapons charges escaped NYPD custody while at a hospital in upper Manhattan Tuesday morning, according to authorities.
Eric Cruz, 29, slipped out of New York-Presbyterian/Columbia University Irving Medical Center in Washington Heights at about 8:45 a.m., police said.
He was under arrest for criminal possession of a loaded firearm near a school and unlicensed vending. Police took Cruz into custody on Monday near 168th Street and Amsterdam Avenue.
Cruz is 6 foot 1 inch tall and was last seen wearing a hospital gown. Police have yet to release a photo of him.
The reason Cruz was in the hospital was not immediately clear.
Anyone with information can contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS.