A Florida inmate who was captured final week after faking an harm and escaping a hospital was in a position to flee from custody as a result of the deputy tasked with guarding him was “likely sleeping,” in keeping with authorities.
Flagler County Deputy Tyrique Harper resigned on Tuesday earlier than the beginning of a former inside investigation into how 29-year-old Anthony Romine escaped from AdventHealth Palm Coast Hospital, prompting the ability to go on lockdown and an enormous manhunt for the inmate, the Flagler County Sheriff’s Workplace mentioned in a press release.
“Witnesses indicate that Deputy Tyrique Harper was likely sleeping during the time of the escape and the inmate was not properly restrained in accordance to policy,” the sheriff’s workplace mentioned.
Harper had been relieved of legislation enforcement duties instantly following the escape on July 27 whereas a preliminary assessment of the incident was being performed.
Anthony Romine, 29, was captured in a wooded space hours after he faked an harm and escaped from legislation enforcement custody at a hospital in Florida. (Flagler County Sheriffs Workplace)
Romine was initially arrested on July 3 on a felony warrant for petty theft, violation of his pre-trial launch and counterfeiting. He was later taken to a hospital after claiming he fell, an harm that investigators finally decided he had faked in an effort to flee and return to Ohio, the place he’s initially from, authorities mentioned.
Anthony Romine, 29, seen after his seize and earlier than his escape on safety video. (Flagler County Sheriff’s Workplace)
The manhunt lasted about seven hours till a Flagler County Sheriff’s Okay-9 staff tracked Romine to a wooded space by a fuel station in Flagler County. He was hiding beneath some foliage and underbrush, and video footage reveals a Okay-9 dragging a screaming Romine out from the bushes.
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“Fortunately, Romine was apprehended, and no additional crimes were committed by him in his escape attempt,” mentioned Mark Strobridge, chief of employees of the Flagler County Sheriff’s Workplace.
Strobridge mentioned that Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly, pictured above, expects all deputies to observe the workplace’s insurance policies, which incorporates not falling asleep on obligation. (Flagler County Sheriff’s Workplace, File)
“Sheriff Staly expects all deputies will follow our policies and not sleep while on-duty,” Strobridge continued. “Our Agency motto is ‘An Honor to Serve, A Duty to Protect,’ and that did not occur in this incident by Deputy Harper.”
After Romine’s seize, felony escape was added to the record of fees towards him, in addition to battery on a legislation enforcement officer with out violence.
Fox Information’ Louis Casiano contributed to this report.
