An unidentified male suspect escaped from police custody early Sunday morning as an officer attempted to arrest him for bicycle theft.
The suspect, described in the press release as a "white male, college age, 5'10", 160-180 lbs, wearing a baseball cap, green/blue windbreaker, jeans and sneakers," escaped from a Hanover police department vehicle.
According to a Hanover Police Department press release, the incident occurred at approximately 12:26 a.m. on Sunday on North Main Street near Elm Street.
Officer John Kapusta, on patrol at that time, stopped two men on bicycles that appeared suspicious.
"I saw two people on bikes and one was on a woman's bike with a flat tire," Kapusta said. He was immediately suspicious "since it was a man riding a woman's bike."
The men attempted to flee after learning that they were being placed under arrest, according to the press release. One of the men was apprehended while the other escaped on a bicycle, Kapusta said.
The bicycle was later found abandoned on Webster Avenue, Kapusta said. Both bicycles were registered, he added.
According to the press release, the remaining suspect resisted arrest and a struggle ensued as Kapusta tried to handcuff him.
"After getting handcuffs on him, I got him in the back of the cruiser. Then I went back to pick up some items that had fallen onto street during the struggle," Kapusta said, "I closed the door, but it didn't latch all the way."
The suspect managed to bring his handcuffed hands to the front of his body and escaped from the car, Kapusta said.
The suspect's escape was brought to the attention of Kapusta by a Campus Safety and Security officer at the scene.
This happened within two to three seconds after walking away from the door to the front of the car, Kapusta said.
"The suspect fled on foot," Kapusta said, "Two witnesses saw him entering through the back entrance of Lord Hall."
A search of the residence hall was conducted, but the suspect was not found. "We checked all the bathrooms and open areas," Kapusta said.
Kapusta said the suspect gave a fictitious name. The name given was the name of a Dartmouth student, but it was not the name of the suspect, Kapusta said.
According to the press release, the suspect is charged with escape, resisting arrest, possession of stolen property, false information to police officer, and theft.
"The initial investigation has started. We should have him identified within a couple of days, but hopefully, he will turn himself in," Kapusta said.
