Yenchun Chen, a Queens man accused of trying to sell fentanyl and crystal methamphetamine to an undercover officer, was being held at Rikers Island last month when he complained about chest pains, according to authorities.
He spent several days at Mount Sinai Beth Israel in Midtown Manhattan, where he was guarded by two Department of Correction officers and received occasional visitors.
On the afternoon of Aug. 9, according to the police, Mr. Chen — all 6-foot-3 and 250 pounds of him — slipped quietly away.
Mr. Chen, 44, told guards that he needed to shower and they permitted him to bathe alone, according to a law enforcement official with knowledge of the matter.
Five minutes later they checked on him, but the shower was empty, the window was open and a rope made of knotted sheets was dangling from it, the law enforcement official said.
Persons:
Yenchun Chen, Sinai Beth, Chen —, —, Chen, ”, Joseph Kenny
Organizations:
of Correction
Locations:
Queens, Sinai, Sinai Beth Israel, Midtown Manhattan