NEW YORK -- A prisoner being deported by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents escaped their custody at JFK Airport, catching a taxi to freedom.
The man, being deported on a prior weapons arrest, ran away from the agents in Terminal 4, at Gate B23, at around 8:30 p.m. Tuesday.
The agents had taken off his handcuffs when he was brought through screening.
He was about to be then escorted onto a plane when he ran away from them.
He was caught on surveillance video fleeing the airport in a yellow cab.
Port Authority police released a statement saying, "An individual being transported by federal immigration officials at JFK Airport last night eluded custody during transfer to a connecting flight. A check of video cameras by authorities showed the individual left the airport in a cab. Federal authorities would know if he is still at large. He was not taken into custody in the airport by the Port Authority Police Department."
ICE is also investigating.
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