Local business owners - still concerned for their safety nearly a week after a suspected killer escaped police custody in Jamaica - have nevertheless not lost faith in the 103rd Precinct.
“Those guys do a good job,” said Mohammad Saleh, owner of Calidad Furniture on Jamaica Avenue and 168th Street.
According to police, the incident occurred on Thursday, August 23 when Maxie Dacosta, 27, who was being questioned for allegedly shooting and killing 25-year-old Darnell Angevine last month, wriggled out of his shackles and got out of the stationhouse through a window.
He had allegedly been left alone in the interrogation room, and the detective responsible was suspended on Friday, August 24 for failure to secure a prisoner, according to published reports.
Reports further say that Dacosta, of Springfield Gardens, either jumped onto a nearby fire escape or fell nearly 30 feet into an alley below.
“Two officers came in and asked if anyone strange walked by or came in [after the escape],” said Allan Markowitz, owner of Empire State Clothing, which has been on Jamaica Avenue for 47 years.
A massive manhunt ensued, but Dacosta was not found.
On Monday, August 27, his father, Maxie Dacosta Sr., issued the following statement urging his son to surrender. “The family doesn’t applaud or support any of his actions. We only know what we read in the newspapers. It’s all alleged. We apologize to the [Angevine] family and encourage Max to turn himself in.”
The suspect on the lam has a prior arrest record, including car theft in 2001; jumping a turnstile and weapons possession in 2003; and drug possession in 2006.
Dacosta is described as 6 feet tall, weighing 190 pounds. He was last seen wearing a black hooded sweatshirt, red T-shirt and jeans.
Anyone with any information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 800-577-TIPS.
With additional reporting by Alex Lang
Manhunt for escaped murder suspect
By Toni Cimino
Posted on
