Inmate escapes custody at NYC hospital during virtual court appearance
- Jose Lopez, a 37-year-old inmate, escaped from custody at a hospital in Mott Haven during a virtual court appearance.
- He was arraigned on multiple charges after leading police on a motorcycle chase and was found with drugs at the time of his arrest.
- Following his escape, police initiated a search in the area, and the NYPD is seeking public assistance in locating him.
On Thursday morning, Jose Lopez, a 37-year-old inmate with a lengthy criminal history, escaped from police custody while receiving treatment at NYC Health and Hospitals/Lincoln in Mott Haven. Just minutes before his escape, he had appeared virtually before a Bronx judge for arraignment on multiple charges stemming from a motorcycle chase that occurred on August 29. During the chase, Lopez had fled from police, leading to his eventual arrest where he was found in possession of drugs. Lopez faced serious charges including criminal possession of a controlled substance, reckless endangerment, and several traffic violations. He pleaded not guilty, and the judge set a cash bail of $1. Despite the serious nature of his charges and his extensive criminal record, which includes 16 arrests since 2008 for offenses such as robbery and burglary, he managed to slip away from law enforcement. Following his escape, police and K-9 units quickly mobilized to search the area surrounding the hospital. The circumstances of how Lopez managed to evade capture remain unclear, raising concerns about security protocols in place for inmates receiving medical care. Authorities have released a photo of Lopez, who is described as 5-foot-11 and weighing 170 pounds, urging the public to assist in locating him. The NYPD has asked anyone with information regarding his whereabouts to contact their Crime Stoppers Hotline, highlighting the urgency of the situation.