Man Arrested for Naked NYC Boat Theft Escapes Hospital in a Lab Coat

A man arrested over the weekend for a bizarre, naked boat theft in Manhattan managed to escape from a New York City hospital early Wednesday morning — this time wearing clothes, but still evading authorities, as reported by The New York Post.

Stephen Blasetti, 36, was last seen around 6:30 a.m. fleeing Columbia University Irving Medical Center while dressed in a white lab coat, blue hospital pants, and hospital-issued socks.

NYC man busted for naked boat romp escapes from hospital in makeshift disguise https://t.co/iwSWZaq2jk pic.twitter.com/1ZpwlMAul4

— New York Post (@nypost) July 23, 2025

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He was not wearing shoes at the time of his escape, according to NYPD sources. Blasetti had been taken to the hospital after being arrested Saturday by NYPD Harbor Unit officers.

Blasetti was being held on charges of grand larceny, criminal possession of stolen property, and reckless endangerment following a chaotic incident that began at the Dyckman Street Marina in upper Manhattan.

According to police, Blasetti, allegedly high on methamphetamines, had been acting erratically when employees at the marina attempted to remove him from the area.

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Before staff could intervene, Blasetti reportedly climbed aboard a small sailboat and began drifting into the Hudson River. He then navigated the boat to a larger, anchored catamaran and boarded that vessel as well.

He let it all hang out: A man ditched his clothes in NYC before hijacking a dinghy and going for a joyride, police said https://t.co/zQEiqaxSLD pic.twitter.com/3KZdTw8dpj

— New York Post Metro (@nypmetro) July 19, 2025

The NYPD’s Aviation and Harbor Units were dispatched and located the stolen boats. Officers boarded the catamaran and arrested Blasetti without further incident. He was then transported to Columbia University Irving Medical Center for evaluation.

⛵ Man escapes NYPD custody after naked joyride on the Hudson River

@MackRosenberg reports: https://t.co/L4FJF0aDDn pic.twitter.com/Wiol6grSli

— 1010 WINS on 92.3 FM (@1010WINS) July 23, 2025

Sources say Blasetti was not handcuffed or shackled at the time of his escape from the hospital’s Milstein building, located on Fort Washington Avenue near West 168th Street. It remains unclear how he was able to leave without being detected or stopped.

Law enforcement agencies are currently searching for Blasetti and reviewing security footage to determine how the escape occurred.

According to police, Blasetti does not have any other open criminal cases in New York City beyond the boat theft incident.

Authorities are urging anyone who sees Blasetti to call 911 immediately and not to approach him.

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