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Drug Dealer Hits Detective With NYPD Car and Escapes, Police Say

By  Murray Weiss and Aidan Gardiner | June 17, 2014 10:02am 

 Bryan McMenamin, 38, escaped from police custody after he was arrested for drug dealing, police said.
Bryan McMenamin, 38, escaped from police custody after he was arrested for drug dealing, police said.
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Composite with NYPD and Shutterstock

QUEENS — A suspected heroin dealer being driven to the stationhouse for questioning managed to slip his handcuffs, get behind the wheel of an NYPD car and escape, hitting a detective as he fled Monday, police said.

Bryan McMenamin, 38, and another suspect were in the backseat of an NYPD car en route to the 104 Precinct stationhouse when the two detectives up front decided to pull over and get out of the vehicle at Cooper Avenue and 59th Street — where they said they heard other officers were in need of assistance — sources said.

McMenamin wriggled out of his handcuffs, jumped into the driver's seat and floored it while the other suspect remained in the back, according to sources and the NYPD. One of the detectives realized what was happening and ran back to the vehicle, but was hit by the car as McMenamin raced off, sources said.

McMenamin ditched the car nearby and fled on foot, while the other handcuffed suspect stayed put in the back seat, sources said. Police did not release the other suspect's name or say whether he was arrested with McMenamin or in a separate incident.

The 35-year-old detective was taken to Long Island Jewish hospital in stable condition, police said. The other detective was not injured.

Police did not immediately have information on whether the detectives would face any disciplinary actions.

McMenamin had still not been caught as of 12:45 p.m. Tuesday. He been arrested three times previously including for menacing in 2001, robbery in 2003 and arson in 2011, an NYPD spokeswoman said.

Police described McMenamin as bald, 5 foot 8 inches and was last seen wearing a white T-shirt, blue jeans and black sneakers.

Anyone with information should contact Crime Stoppers at (800) 577-TIPS (8477).