PHOENIX -- Phoenix police are searching for a home invasion suspect who escaped from the back of a patrol car Wednesday and fled without his pants.
Lonnie Edward Hansel, 35, was wanted in connection with a weekend home invasion.
Police were staking out a house near 16th Street and Northern Avenue around 4:30 p.m. Wednesday when Hansel showed up and was taken into custody.
An officer handcuffed Hansel and placed him in the back of a patrol car. Police said the officer left one of the windows partly open because of the heat and then exited the car.
According to police, Hansel maneuvered his arms to get the handcuffs in front of himself and then climbed out of the patrol car.
Hansel fled on foot with the handcuffs still on, but officers said they found his pants on a nearby wall.
Police set up a perimeter but were unable to locate Hansel. Officers were still at the scene Thursday morning.
Anyone with information regarding Hansel's whereabouts is asked to call Phoenix police.
