Escaped Parolee On The Loose On Staten Island
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- A manhunt is underway for an escaped parolee on Staten Island.
Authorities say 41-year-old Hector Calo escaped out an open back door at 283 St. Pauls Ave. in Stapleton when parole officers cuffed him for a parole violation. Nearly 12 hours later, he was still at large.
Police sources say Calo was out the door, running into a wooded area with his hands cuffed behind his back wearing just his underwear and a white T-shirt. They told CBS2 he was arrested because parole officers noticed a violation when they showed up for a visit around 6 a.m. Thursday.
Department of Corrections officials told CBS2 Calo served time in state prison for burglary in the second degree. He was conditionally released two years ago.
Calo's downstairs neighbor said he woke up to officers at their door.
"Sounded like they knocked, and then there was a scuffle. It was fast," the neighbor said.
The neighbor, who did not want to give his name, said Calo has a wife and four children. They've been living in the home for two years and, to his knowledge, Calo worked as a deliveryman for a local Chinese restaurant, CBS2's Reena Roy reported.
"He's been doing good this is a shock to all of us," the neighbor said. "From what I know he takes cares of his kids. His kids love him. His kids play with my kids."
Police believe Calo is somewhere in the area unarmed, but neighbors aren't taking any chances.
"I hope they get him, and I hope they get him fast," one man said. "The first thing I did was check my property."
"I'm going to keep an eye out, make sure everything is OK," another man said.
Police have been searching by air and on the ground, where they've used dogs and checked dumpsters, rooftops and homes. Investigators have been expanding the search as more time goes on, stationing officers block after block across the neighborhood.
Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call the NYPD's Crime Stoppers Hotline at 800-577-TIPS or for Spanish 888-57-PISTA (74782). The public can also submit their tips by logging onto the Crime Stoppers website or texting their tips to 274637 (CRIMES) then enter TIP577.
All calls are kept strictly confidential.
