Breaking: Cops Search For Suspect Around East 15th Street, From Ave W To Ave R

Updates at the bottom of post:

There was a large police presence around East 15th Street and East 16tStreets, from Avenue U down to Gravesend Neck Road, as police apparently pursued a suspect on and around the train tracks.

The commotion broke out at around 11:30 p.m., with helicopters buzzing overhead, assisting officers on the ground with spotlights.

Gravesend Neck Road was closed off by police vehicles, and on Avenue V and East 15th Street, NYPD’s Emergency Service Unit vehicles are on the scene. Units were also canvassing the area.

Reader LostInService called in to tell Sheepshead Bites that officers are searching backyards along East 15th Street.

Gothamist Maps notes that the pursuit caused the power to the tracks to be cut.

It is unclear who police or searching for, or why.

Update (12:22 a.m.): A reader, Lisa, just sent us the following e-mail:

there is a scary police search going on 15th and Neck Rd. Many plain clothes as well. I hope they find who they are looking for. They’ve gone through my garage and yard and behind the houses on the tracks. They have the police chopper searching with a light as well. No news online except that  1010wins radio announced Brooklyn bound Q trains are skipping from Kings Hwy to Brighton Beach. I’m glad I have big dogs on nights like this.

Update (12:34 a.m.): Q train service has resumed with residual delays, according to NotifyNYC. It had previously been running express from Kings Highway to Brighton Beach as a result of the investigation.

Update (12:48 a.m.): As per Randy’s comment below, police have moved up East 15th Street as far as Avenue R.

Update (12:50 a.m.): Facebook reader Maria D. was on the Q train that was stopped. Here’s her description:

I was trapped on this train at neck road. Police helicopters, detectives, cops everywhere. The trapped us inside the train and would not open the doors. They even turned the power off. Must have been in there for over half an hour. Awful

Update (3:55 p.m.): NYPD’s 61st Precinct confirmed that it was a search for a suspect involved in a theft. It was a non-violent incident, and the perp is a repeat offender. He was not apprehended, and the precinct declined to provide additional details saying that it is an ongoing investigation.

This is a breaking news story and may contain inaccuracies. We will update it as more information becomes available. If anyone has more information or additional photos, please send them to tips (at) sheepsheadbites (dot) com.