The search for an apartment burglar in Flatiron ended in a dramatic lockdown at a nearby office building as officers in tactical gear swarmed the area and eventually brought the suspect back out.
The burglar had entered an apartment near Madison Square Park Thursday morning and was interrupted by the resident when she returned home, law enforcement sources said. He pushed her to the ground and ran off.
Hours later, police spotted him around the corner at an office building at 261 Fifth Ave., near 28th Street, and he ran inside, sources said. That's when police descended on the building with guns drawn, instituting a lockdown.
Bernadine Rainford had just arrived to make a delivery when officers locked down the building.
"The first thing I thought, I said, 'God, please don't let him have a gun!'" she said.
Police eventually captured the 33-year-old suspect inside and brought him back out into a police car. He was still being questioned Thursday night.
Neighbors at the apartment building he targeted worried about security.
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"I'm wondering how, with a doorman, this person was able to get in here," said Angela Marse, who owns a unit there. "They're going to have to do something with the security."
A message was left with the building management.
