Watch CBS News

Suspect Who Escaped Rockland County Courthouse Apprehended

NEW CITY, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- An escapee from the Rockland County Courthouse was captured Monday evening.

Around 4:45 p.m. Monday, police sent out alerts with 33-year-old Christopher Palumbo's picture, saying he had escaped the courthouse.

CBS2's Alice Gainer got to the courthouse after 7 p.m. and followed flashing lights a short time later.

At least a dozen Clarkstown Police cars and Rockland County sheriff's officers descended upon the parking lot of the New City Gardens apartment complex off of North Main Street.

One woman who did not want to be identify saw him at the apartment complex.

"I spoke to him for a heartbeat and then I was like, this person is not supposed to be here," she said, adding that Palumbo asked her if she knew "where to get money from."

A man, who also did not want to be identified, saw Palumbo at a Sunoco station near the apartment complex.

"I saw a sheriff coming in over here, and I beeped my horn and I told him, hey, he's at Sunoco," he said.

A worker at the Sunoco says Palumbo used their bathroom and their phone, then bought a Red Bull. Palumbo also tried to buy cigarettes but had no ID.

Right now, it's unclear why Palumbo was in court, but residents say they feel safer knowing he's back in custody.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.