At a Glance
- A 51-year-old man slipped out of police custody at Temple University Hospital at 6:15 a.m. Thursday
- He broke free after officers removed his handcuffs during discharge
- SEPTA police caught him three miles away at Broad Street and Erie Avenue by 7:45 a.m.
- Why it matters: The incident raises questions about security protocols when prisoners receive medical care
A prisoner being treated at Temple University Hospital bolted from custody Thursday morning after officers took off his restraints, prompting a sweeping search that ended with his capture on a busy North Philadelphia corner.
How the Escape Unfolded
The 51-year-old man, whom authorities have not publicly identified, was in the final stage of discharge from the North Philadelphia hospital around 6:15 a.m.. Officers removed his handcuffs, and he immediately ran, according to Philadelphia police.
- Location: Temple University Hospital, North Philadelphia
- Time of escape: About 6:15 a.m.
- Recaptured: Broad Street and Erie Avenue, roughly three miles away
- Recapture time: About 7:45 a.m.
- Arresting agency: SEPTA Transit Police
Police launched an urgent search, blanketing the surrounding neighborhoods. Officers with SEPTA’s police force spotted and arrested the man 90 minutes later at the intersection of Broad Street and Erie Avenue.
What We Don’t Know
Officials have released few details about the prisoner:
- His name has not been disclosed
- The original charges that landed him in custody remain unknown
- Police have not said whether he will face additional counts for the escape attempt
- The circumstances that required hospital treatment have not been revealed
An internal investigation is underway, according to the department.
Security Questions Linger
The episode highlights potential gaps in prisoner-security procedures at medical facilities. Standard practice calls for continuous restraint except when medically necessary, yet the man managed to flee the moment handcuffs were removed.
Temple University Hospital declined to comment, citing patient-privacy rules and the ongoing police probe.
Daniel J. Whitman reported this story for News Of Philadelphia.
