Rikers inmate who escaped police custody while at Manhattan hospital is caught: NYPD

NEW YORK (PIX11) — A Rikers Island inmate who escaped from police custody on June 26 while at a Manhattan hospital was captured on Tuesday, according to police.

James Mossetty, 35, was caught at the subway station near West 50th Street and Eighth Avenue around 2 p.m., according to officials. He was charged with escaping jail/custody.

Mossetty was brought to NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue on June 5 for a medical issue. As authorities prepared to transfer him back to Rikers on June 26, he escaped custody at around 9:40 p.m., officials said. He was last seen running on the FDR Drive, according to the NYPD.

Mossetty was first arrested in Manhattan back on Jan. 6. He’s accused of assault, criminal possession of a controlled substance, and theft of services, according to the DOC.

Jonathan Rizk is a digital journalist who has covered local news in New York City and Washington, D.C. He has been with PIX11 since August 2022. See more of his work here, and follow him on X and Facebook @OfficialRizk . Get in touch at jonathan.rizk@pix11.com .

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