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Jail Inmate Bluffs Guards, Gets Released from Brooklyn Courthouse: NYPD

Police are asking for the public's help in locating a city jail inmate who duped guards and walked out of the Brooklyn courthouse by capitalizing on a case of mistaken identity.

Police on Thursday released a photo of Layquan Johnson, who was brought to the Brooklyn Supreme Court on Tuesday in connection with his arrest for a shooting that occurred in December 2015.

Johnson was sitting in a holding cell with other defendants, including a friend who was scheduled to be released. When guards called the name of the man to be released, Johnson answered the call, law enforcement sources told NBC 4 New York.

He brazenly strolled out of the courthouse at about 10:15 p.m. He was wearing a gray sweatshirt, dark-colored pants and light-colored sneakers at the time.

The Department of Correction captain involved in the inmate's release has been suspended, a spokesperson for the agency said.

"Any erroneous release is unacceptable and this incident is under investigation," the spokesperson said.

City police and U.S. Marshals have teamed up to search for Johnson, who has had numerous run-ins with the law.

He is currently charged with attempted murder for allegedly shooting a 27-year-old man in the leg in Brooklyn.

Anyone with information about Johnson's whereabouts is asked to call the NYPD Crime Stoppers Hotline at 800-577-TIPS.

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