WILLIAMSBURG — A man punched out a police officer in an attempt to dodge a shoplifting arrest on Friday night, police said.
Brian Ackwood, 25, socked an officer in the face outside 5 Star Gourmet Deli at 413 Bushwick Ave. just before 10 p.m. after he was accused of shoplifting, according to the NYPD.
The officer suffered a gash near his left eye, police said.
Ackwood fled the scene and is still on the lam as of Monday morning, according to the NYPD.
The suspect, who has 16 prior arrests, including weapons possession and drug dealing, was last seen wearing a blue baseball cap, black sneakers and a dark blue shirt, police said.
He's around 6 feet tall and weights roughly 180 pounds.
Workers at the bodega couldn't be reached by phone.
Anyone with information should call NYPD's Crime Stoppers Hotline at 800-577-TIPS