A third suspect in a week has escaped from police custody, police officials said.

The 46-year-old suspect, who gave police two names, Gregory Pollack and Frank Luongo, escaped from Long Island College Hospital at about 1 a.m. after assaulting an officer who was guarding him, police said. Hours later, the suspect was recaptured.

Last week, two prisoners escaped police custody from the inside of two separate precinct houses within a 24-hour period beginning early on Thursday morning.

The latest escape began when Mr. Pollock assaulted an officer moments after he released one of the suspect’s wrists from handcuffs so he could use the bathroom, police said.

Mr. Pollack took off running and escaped into the Carroll Gardens section of Brooklyn, police said.

The officer called for back up and chased the suspect, police said. The officer was unable to keep up with Mr. Pollock because of injuries sustained during the assault, police said.

At about 3 a.m., police spotted the suspect in the Brownsville section of Brooklyn, on the opposite side of Prospect Park from where he escaped, and a foot chase ensued, police said. The officers found Mr. Pollock hiding under a car on the corner of Pitkin Avenue and Herzl Street.

Mr. Pollock had been arrested on Sunday after being seen by housing police drinking a beer in the East New York section of Brooklyn, police said. The arresting officers also alleged he had a crack pipe, police said.

The suspect was taken from central booking to Long Island College Hospital after he complained to police that he needed medication, police said.

Mr. Pollock is being charged with a felony assault and escape, police said.