University of Buffalo grad chased by police as he runs across stage with contraband — his baby

A University of Buffalo graduate was chased across the stage by police at Sunday's commencement ceremony for carrying a prohibited item while he tried to collect his diploma: a baby.

A University of Buffalo graduate was chased across the stage by police at Sunday's commencement ceremony for carrying a prohibited item while he tried to collect his diploma: a baby.

Video of the commencement for the College of Arts and Sciences shows the student, Jean-Paul Al-Arab, running quickly from backstage to cut the line of graduates and insert himself in the proceedings, all while holding a baby dressed in a matching royal blue cap and gown.

Al-Arab was trailed by at least two police officers and at least two people who appeared to be faculty members at the university. Unable to stop his sprint, Al-Arab shook hands with delighted graduation officials and stopped mid-stage — baby in his arms — as the crowd roared.

He was then escorted off the stage by a police officer, the video shows.

A spokesperson for the university stressed in a statement to NBC News that police were not called to the commencement but rather that officers were already there as part of normal safety protocol.