Business Attire Aids Prisoner's Escape From Court!

On the police scanners (now on Gothamist Newsmap), there have been multiple reports of an "escaped prisoner" from 100 Centre Street in lower Manhattan, which is the Criminal Court Building. Now it turns out that the prisoner escaped because he was dressed so well that he looked like a lawyer!

The Daily News reports that Ronald Tackman, 55, "was 'impeccably dressed' in a jacket and tie when he arrived for a pre-trial hearing on the 13th floor, the source said. Somehow, Tackman managed to sneak down two flights to a holding area for prisoners awaiting trial - and where a court officer mistook him for a lawyer." The officer asked, "Counselor, what are you doing here?" and let him go! Some more detail on the "somehow"—1010 WINS reveals that Tackman wandered out of an open jail cell.

The Post says, "Surveillance footage showed that he exited undetected through the north lobby at 100 Centre Street, probably confused for a lawyer or courthouse employee because he was donning a suit."

Tackman is, according to his lawyer, "a very intelligent man." Tackman, who is facing life sentences for numerous robbery charges because of his priors, is considered a "legend" by some for his many prison escape attempts. From the News:

In September 1985, Tackman was described as an "escape artist" by a corrections official after he tried to shoot his way out a prison van using a rubber-band powered zip gun fashioned out of metal tubing and a comb.

Tackman tried to take over the van as it was crossing the Brooklyn Bridge bound for Manhattan criminal court by firing two pellets that just missed hitting the corrections officers. He gave up when the guards pulled their guns.

In an earlier escape attempt, Tackman briefly took over another prison van by brandishing a "extremely realistic" but bogus gun carved out of soap.

Tackman made the guards stop the van and throw out their guns. Then he forced them to get in the back, where he locked them up with the other prisoners.

Plus, a source says, "He is the quintessential average-looking white guy. No distinguishing features or marks." No one will ever find him! But if you're looking, he's described as "about 150 pounds, with short black hair, blue eyes, and wearing a light colored three piece suit."

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By Jen Chung in News on September 30, 2009 1:22 PM

Comments [rss]

valeriob

This guy is clearly a ninja, kudos.

SteveH

When's the movie coming out?

Brooklyn

The security theater picture accompanying the News article is classic -- probably the first time the chubby hacks at the courthouse have had to break a sweat in months.

farleft

I'm pretty sure the 'authorities', in their hysteria to catch the criminal, arrested a Black lawyer dressed in a suit. They will soon call a press conference where they will announce that the case is closed and the public is now safe, to much applause by The New York Post.

farleft

fourth.

HymietownHero

Dude, shut the fuck up already.

farleft

Go kill another shark, already.

hotstepper

seconded.

valeriob

third

ed_Extinct

there's a good chance he's not wearing that suit anymore.

fixer

he apparently pulled off his costume with such detail that he remembered to add winning 100 centre st. touches like shot heels on his brogues and random threading coming apart from the bottom inside of his suit jacket. well done.

virgilstarkwell

"In an earlier escape attempt, Tackman briefly took over another prison van by brandishing a "extremely realistic" but bogus gun carved out of soap."

hey - he stole that idea from me!!"

HymietownHero

But the note said you had a gub.

Kojak

Theres no point in holding MacGyver. He'll obviously find a way to escape using whats available to him.

Rocknrope

Dear Warden,

You were right. Salvation lay within.

LICguy

Honestly, how often do you look at a man's shoes?

nicemarmot

Smart enough to repeatedly escape, but not smart enough to do a better job robbing banks? Or better yet...stop robbing banks altogether and get into white collar crime? That's where the real money is baby.