RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — Richmond Police are still ‘actively’ searching for a handcuffed suspect who escaped police custody by kicking open a patrol car door Monday afternoon.
Officers are trying to locate 38-year-old Ammer Ali, of Newport News, after he fled from a police SUV after being detained on a drug warrant at the Richmond Greyhound Bus Terminal.
The escape occurred at approximately 3:40 p.m. near the intersection of Leigh and Belvidere streets in the city’s Carver community. Although handcuffed with his hands behind his back and buckled into the back passenger-side seat, a police spokesperson said Ali was able to move his manacled hands to the front of his body, unbuckle the seatbelt, unlatch the side door and escape.
RPD officers established a perimeter in the area but were unable to locate Ali. Officers on Tuesday are conducting increased patrols in that area.
A video sent to 8News Monday night showed the man running through the Carver neighborhood with his hands still handcuffed in front of him.
WATCH: Handcuffed escaped suspect seen running through Carver neighborhood
“Kind of crazy, kind of irresponsible for the police to, you know, just let that happen,” Carver resident Fethi Ali said.
“It’s crazy how this man kicked open a police door,” fellow resident Courtney Foster added. “There was many cops out here. So, I think it’s nice that they have high security for this but it’s still a little alarming.”
The department said in a release it will review the incident to determine if the transporting officer had followed proper transport protocols.
Ali is described as a 5-foot-11, 215-pound light-skinned black male with short hair and a beard. He was last seen wearing a light blue shirt and blue jeans.
“Anyone who spots the escapee should call 911 immediately,” police said in a release. “Do not approach him. While he is being sought for a non-violent warrant, he did tell officers he did not want to return to prison.”
