BRONX, N.Y. — A 27-year-old murder suspect escaped from an NYPD transport van while handcuffed, sparking a manhunt in the Bronx before he was recaptured four hours later on March 11.
Key Points
- Anthony Riser escaped from police custody near Washington Avenue and Claremont Parkway.
- Riser had been arrested for allegedly killing his neighbor in December.
- He now faces multiple charges, including murder, manslaughter, and felony escape.
Anthony Riser, accused of fatally shooting his 28-year-old neighbor Richard Spigner on Dec. 21, allegedly jumped out of a police van while being transported to Bronx Central Booking. The escape occurred in the confines of the NYPD’s 42nd Precinct near Washington Avenue and Claremont Parkway.
Bronx: Washington Avenue & Claremont Parkway, a murder suspect jumped out of a police van in the confines of the @NYPD42Pct while being transported to Bronx Central Booking on March 11th. Anthony Riser, a 27-year-old murder suspect, was arrested on March 10th for allegedly… pic.twitter.com/dViP8paSeZ
— NYC Scoop (@NY_Scoop) April 4, 2025
Despite being handcuffed and seated in the rearmost section of the vehicle, Riser managed to exit the van, leading authorities on a multi-hour search. The suspect was originally arrested on March 10 by officers from the 48th Precinct for the December homicide, which took place at a residential building near Rodman Place and West Farms Road.
Police say the manhunt concluded around 9 a.m., when Riser was located hiding behind an apartment building on Park Avenue and Claremont Parkway. Officers took him back into custody without incident.
Riser is now charged with three counts of murder with intent, one count of assault with intent to cause serious injury with a weapon, two counts of second-degree criminal possession of a loaded firearm, one count of first-degree manslaughter, and one count of escape from custody with a felony.
The NYPD has not released details on how Riser managed to break free from the van while restrained. An internal investigation into the escape is ongoing.
Riser remains in custody as the criminal case proceeds in Bronx Criminal Court.
