Burglar Slashes Roommates Who Chased Him From Astoria Home: NYPD

ASTORIA, QUEENS -- Police are searching for the burglar who slashed two roommates when they caught him breaking into their Astoria apartment on Sunday.

A 39-year-old man came home to his apartment on 23rd Street at around 5 p.m. that day to find the perp rummaging through his bedroom closet, police said. He went to get his 43-year-old roommate for help, but the burglar had locked himself in the room by the time they returned.

The thief attempted to make his escape after the two men called 911. When they tried to block him from leaving, he pulled out a knife, slashed the 39-year-old man's arm and bolted to the street, cops said.

The pair managed to chase him down and grab him, but he slashed the 43-year-old roommate across his face and neck before escaping down 23rd Street, police said.

The man was sent to New York Weill Cornell Medical Center in stable condition, police said. Medics treated his roommates's cut at the scene.

Police described the burglar as a man in is thirties last scene wearing a dark baseball cap, a gray shirt, shorts and black sneakers.

Anyone with information in regards to this incident is asked to call the NYPD's Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477).

(Lead photo via NYPD)