Rhamar Perkins, 16, took advantage of a rookie NYPD officer’s sensibilities this past week and escaped after he was arrested for skipping out on a $2.75 subway fare.

He was initially taken into custody by a veteran officer and their partner, but asked to go to the bathroom once the veteran left the room and asked her partner to watch him. He then snuck out of the back door and sparked a manhunt that lasted for hours, according to New York Daily News.

The manhunt apparently included sniffing dogs and a fleet of officers.

Perkins eventually turned himself in 75th Precinct in East New York where he was charged with escaping police custody and theft of services, according to the New York Post.

The two officers that allowed him to escape will likely be disciplined. This is the latest of multiple incidents where people arrested by transit authorities have managed to escape. Between June and December, seven people managed to do just that but were all apprehended again later on, which has reportedly angered NYPD Commissioner Bill Bratton.

The real question which emerges here is: is it really necessary to deploy these types of police forces for a $2.75 fee and running teen? It seems a bit excessive, no?

Photo Credit: Wiki Commons