‘Naked’ Robber Escapes in Doctor Disguise While Cop Sleeps on Duty (Video)

In a jaw-dropping case of negligence and audacity, a nude boat thief managed to slip out of police custody and walk right out of a New York City hospital—dressed as a doctor and barefoot—while the officer assigned to guard him allegedly fell asleep.

The suspect, 36-year-old Stephen Blasetti, had been arrested for stealing a boat—completely naked—and taking it on a reckless joyride through the Hudson River. He was expected to undergo a psychiatric evaluation at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital in Washington Heights when he made his Houdini-like escape.

According to sources familiar with the investigation, Blasetti freed himself from his handcuffs, found a physician’s white coat and face mask, and casually strolled past hospital staff and his snoozing NYPD escort. Surveillance footage from inside the hospital reportedly shows Blasetti blending in with real medical personnel, while additional video from outside captures him vanishing into the city streets—no shoes, no ID, and no problem.

“This is not just embarrassing. It’s dangerous,” a senior NYPD official told our newsroom under condition of anonymity. “You’ve got someone charged with grand larceny and reckless endangerment just walking out the front door because someone nodded off.”

The officer responsible for guarding Blasetti—whose name has not been released—has been suspended without pay, according to the NYPD.

“The incident is under internal review,” Deputy Commissioner Delaney Kempner confirmed in a statement. “We are taking this extremely seriously.”

This latest lapse raises serious questions about protocols surrounding detainees in medical facilities, particularly when psychiatric evaluations are involved.

Blasetti was initially arrested after allegedly commandeering a vessel along the Hudson River in the buff, leading to a surreal scene that stunned onlookers and prompted a dramatic water rescue. Photos obtained by the New York Post show a naked man, believed to be Blasetti, escorted by harbor police while attempting to shield himself from cameras.

He was charged with grand larceny, criminal possession of stolen property, and reckless endangerment. His current whereabouts are unknown, and law enforcement is urging anyone with information to contact authorities.

“This guy just played the NYPD like a violin,” one retired officer said. “It’s hard to believe, but there’s video to prove it. Heads will roll.”

As the search for Blasetti intensifies, the public is left wondering: How does a naked boat thief outsmart a trained officer inside a hospital? For now, the NYPD has more questions than answers—and one less uniform on the payroll.