Daniel Kantak is a wanted man in Syracuse. And he just might be a magician, too.

Syracuse police are looking for Kantak.They say he stole a police car after they handcuffed him and put him in the back seat of the car early this morning.

Kantak, 33, of Liverpool, was taken into custody after police responded to a burglary in progress at 320 Ashdale Ave. just after 2 a.m.

When officers got to the home, they saw two men holding down Kantak, police said. The woman who lives in the house told police that Kantak broke into the home. Her brothers were holding him down.



The officers handcuffed Kantak, putting his arms behind his back. The press release notes that officers put Kantak in the back seat of the car. Both doors were locked and the shield between the front and back seats were closed, police said.

Daniel Kantak

"Even though Kantak was cuffed behind his back and placed in the rear of a patrol car with the shield closed, he was somehow able to slip his cuffs to the front and climb through a small window between the back seat and the front seat and drive away in the car," reads the release.

Officers were outside the car, talking to the burglary witnesses, police said. They didn't realize anything was wrong until they heard the tires squealing. Then they saw the police car speed away, according to the release.

Daniel Kantak

The officers got into the remaining police cars at the scene and chased Kantak down the street.

Then, they lost sight of Kantak in the stolen police car.

Several minutes later, they found the police car crashed on Court Street near Assumption Cemetery. It was heavily damaged.

When Kantak crashed the car, he hit a utility pole and knocked out power in the area.

Daniel Kantak

The car was empty. Kantak, police said, ran away from the scene.

Police searched throughout Eastwood overnight and during the morning, but they haven't been able to find Kantak.

The search is continuing. Kantak is wanted for second-degree escape, second-degree burglary, criminal mischief, unauthorized use of motor vehicle, fourth-degree criminal possession of stolen property, and grand larceny.

Kantak is 6 feet 2 inches tall and 165 pounds.

He could still be wearing handcuffs.

Anyone with information about where Kantak is can call the Syracuse Police Department at 315-442-5222. All calls will be kept strictly confidential.

Police Chief Frank Fowler said the department is conducting an internal investigation to determine if the officers followed all of the rules and procedures.