NEW YORK (AP) — A police officer rappelled down a Manhattan skyscraper to stop a man who was facing financial fraud charges from jumping out of a 31st-floor window.
The daring arrest happened after federal agents went to the man’s apartment near Carnegie Hall Wednesday morning to take him into custody.
Rather than give himself up, the man broke a window, sat on the ledge and threatened to jump, authorities said.
“He was wanted by another agency, and instead of going peacefully to that agency he thought of taking his own life,” NYPD Chief of Department Jeffrey Maddrey said at a news briefing.
Emergency Service Unit Detectives and fellow Finest risked everything to save the life of a suicidal man today hundreds of feet above NYC streets. These men and women in blue are some of the most highly-skilled first responders in the world — and the DEA is proud to represent… pic.twitter.com/hLjFW1U2iU
— Detectives' Endowment Association (@NYCPDDEA) March 23, 2023
The man dangled one leg out the window as police officers tried to persuade him to surrender. After an eight-hour standoff, Detective James Tobin of the Emergency Service Unit rappelled down to the man’s apartment from one floor up.
Videos of the episode show Tobin kicking the man back into the apartment while officers inside grab him.
The man was taken to a hospital for evaluation. It was not clear what charges he faced. Requests for information were sent to the FBI and the U.S. attorney’s office on Thursday.
Maddrey said Tobin and the other officers from the elite ESU unit “showed patience, care, commitment” throughout the standoff. He said the officers “made a decision that nothing was going to happen to that man today and they kept their word.”
Police Commissioner Keechant Sewell called the operation “another example of your NYPD working alongside our partners, putting their lives on the line every day in furtherance of public safety and the city.”
Photos: Officers from Emergency Services Unit repelled into a 31th floor window to reach a barricaded suspect in a Midtown East highrise. He was subject to FBI raid. #LloydMitchellPhotography #NYPD #ESU #policing #photojournalism #journalism #AMNewyork #Manhattan #ESU #journalism pic.twitter.com/nhOfju5eaP
— Lloyd Mitchell (@Lloydphoto) March 23, 2023
For almost 9 hours #ESU members patiently negotiated with a male, wanted by the FBI, who was threatening to jump from the 31st floor of a @NYPDMTN building.
ESU gained entry through the open window & made the apprehension, saving the man's life
Excellent teamwork ! pic.twitter.com/ZkENciOrXB— NYPD Special Ops (@NYPDSpecialops) March 22, 2023
This man did not kill himself.
Bragg sent him bc he thought the jumper had info on Trump
From what it seems like the person behind the window had ample opportunity to jump out while the officer was dangling down. It makes me question whether he really planned on jumping and if the NYPD had a different reason for this operation
It’s not good these days for white collar, you might as well mug someone or hold up on bank.