Suspect In Bronx Slashing, Robbery Arrested Following Bizarre Chase
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- A man wanted or a slashing and robbery was caught after a bizarre chase at PS 119 in the Castle Hill section of the Bronx Monday evening.
The ordeal lasted about an hour as the brazen suspect made his way into the school.
CBS2 was there as the man scaled a fence on the school grounds. Then with a hoard of police officers watching, he climbed a tree and hopped onto the roof of the school before breaking into the building to hide from authorities.
Police quickly surrounded the building and an NYPD helicopter flew overhead.
Officers entered the school with K-9 units to carefully search each classroom. Through the windows of the first floor, officers in SWAT gear could be seen with helmets and shields.
Eventually, the suspect was found and brought outside in handcuffs. He claimed police roughed him up inside.
Those who live nearby were relieved to see the situation come to an end.
"I don't think it was worth all that trouble," Enrique Clemente tells CBS2's Valerie Castro. "Probably for $20 or something, might as well get a job."
"I was glad they caught the guy," resident David Morales said. "He deserved to get caught obviously."
According to the Department of Education, students and staff were not present at the time of the incident.
Additionally, there was no damage to the school building during the brief standoff, according to the DOE.
