Miami Beach police confirmed Thursday night that an escaped prisoner who ran from Mount Sinai Medical Center earlier in the afternoon was back in custody following a search around the hospital, authorities said.
Sequence of events
According to a post from the Miami Beach Police Department on its Facebook page and reporting by CBS Miami, the man — described by police only as a male arrest suspect — had been arrested the night before but the original charges were not disclosed. He was transported to Mount Sinai for medical attention, and at some point Thursday afternoon he left custody and fled the hospital grounds.
| Event | Timing (as reported) |
|---|---|
| Initial arrest | "last night" (per police) |
| Transported to Mount Sinai Medical Center | Thursday (date of incident) |
| Escape from custody at hospital | Thursday afternoon |
| Recaptured by police | Thursday afternoon (after search) |
Officers established a perimeter in the area around the hospital as the search unfolded, the department said. The department did not release further details about how the escape happened, or whether the suspect suffered or caused any injuries during the incident.
Internal affairs review, community reaction
Miami Beach authorities said an internal affairs investigation has been opened to determine how the man escaped while in police custody at the medical facility. It was not immediately clear whether new criminal charges would be filed against the suspect related to the escape.
"Oh God, thank you, thank you, because he deserves to be there for a long time, especially now. Things are getting so bad over here that we have to be very careful,"
The sentiment from residents near the hospital was one of relief when police announced the suspect was recaptured. Neighbors interviewed by CBS Miami described growing unease about crime in the neighborhood. One resident, identified as Irma Calderon, gave the comment above, while another resident, named Leslie in the report, said crime has become more frequent.
- Police confirmed the suspect was arrested the night before but did not release the original charges.
- The man was at Mount Sinai for medical attention when he escaped custody.
- Miami Beach Police established a perimeter and later reported the suspect back in custody.
- An internal affairs probe has been launched to investigate the circumstances of the escape.
What officials have said and what remains unknown
Beyond the initial statements posted by Miami Beach police and the account published by CBS Miami, officials have not released additional details such as the suspect's name, the reason for his initial arrest, how he exited police custody at the hospital, or whether any officers face discipline as a result of the escape. The department has not yet provided information on whether the suspect will face new charges related to the escape.
Mount Sinai Medical Center did not issue a public statement in the reports cited. The Miami Beach Police Department’s Facebook post served as the primary official notice of the perimeter and the subsequent capture.
Miami Beach residents told reporters they have noticed an uptick in crime in recent months, citing incidents such as carjackings and shootings. Local authorities have been under increased public scrutiny over public-safety responses and custody procedures at times when inmates require medical care offsite.
As the internal affairs investigation proceeds, the Miami Beach Police Department may release additional findings and potential personnel actions. Officials also may disclose whether the suspect will face additional charges stemming from the escape.
WE NEWS will continue to monitor statements from Miami Beach police and updates from Mount Sinai Medical Center, and will report any new information as it becomes available.
