MURDER SUSPECT ESCAPES FROM BROOKLYN PRECINCT AND REMAINS AT LARGE AS MANHUNT ENSUES

Brandon Santana, 24, of Brooklyn

A murder suspect escaped from a police precinct house in Brooklyn before dawn on Thursday, injuring one officer as he fled, according to the police.

The suspect, Brandon Santana, 24, of Brooklyn, remained at large as the police began an extensive manhunt and asked for the public’s assistance in tracking him down.

The police declined to immediately provide any details about how Mr. Santana was able to escape custody, eluding dozens of police officers at the 78th Precinct station house, where he was being held.

They also declined to identify the officer who was injured or provide any details on how he was hurt.

Mr. Santana was arrested Wednesday on suspicion of murdering Alexander Santiago, 22, on Aug. 1, 2010. Mr. Santiago was stabbed and beaten to death on a Park Slope street by a mob of men, according to the police.

The attack occurred shortly after midnight on a sidewalk on 12th Street near Fifth Avenue, after Mr. Santiago had a dispute with the same group of men at a nearby bodega.

When the group set upon Mr. Santiago, he was hit in the head with a crowbar and then stabbed three times.

Mr. Santiago was taken to New York Methodist Hospital in Brooklyn, where he was pronounced dead.

Victim Alex Santiago was killed on Aug. 1, 2010.

His wife was eight months pregnant with their son at the time, relatives said.

The police declined to say what role they believe Mr. Santana played in the attack.

He was described as 5 feet 11 inches tall, weighing about 200 pounds with short black hair and brown eyes. He was last seen wearing a brown hooded jacket, blue jeans and white sneakers.