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8 months ago
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Surveillance stills show the moment an inmate escaped a Colorado hospital despite being handcuffed.
The photo shows 38-year-old Ronald Collier dashing through the halls of Arkansas Valley Regional Medical Center in La Junta Thursday, 150 miles southeast of Denver.
It was snapped seconds after he overpowered a deputy and a security officer at the facility, before fleeing into the night - all while still in his restraints.
He was being held on local charges of burglary and assault, authorities in the area said Friday - as officials from a neighboring sheriff's office revealed he allegedly made off in a stolen 2007 Dodge Grand Caravan.
Both advised the suspect, last seen cuffed, should be considered 'armed and dangerous,' issuing an alert that warned he is still at-large. A search in underway, as officials revealed the car had a full tank of gas and a 9mm under the driver's seat.
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Surveillance stills show the moment 38-year-old Ronald Collier escaped Arkansas Valley Regional Medical Center in Colorado Thursday - despite being handcuffed
It was snapped seconds after he overpowered a deputy and a security officer at the facility, before fleeing into the night - all while still in his restraints. He was being held on local charges of burglary and assault, authorities in the area said as a search continues
'On April 11, 2024, at approximately 2337 hours, Ronald Caillier, aged 38, of Gillette, WY, escaped from the Arkansas Valley Regional Medical Center following an altercation with a Transport Deputy,' officials from the Bent County Sheriff's Office said Friday.
'Caillier fled the scene from the emergency room wearing black and white striped pants and an orange t-shirt, despite being handcuffed with his hands in the front of his body.
'Caillier, who has ties to Colorado Springs, Greeley, and Gillette, Wyoming, is believed to be in possession of a white 2007 Dodge Grand Caravan bearing Colorado license plate BFMW09.
'The vehicle has damage to the passenger side door and a cracked passenger side rear-view window,' officials revealed.
'Authorities suspect the vehicle was stolen, as the keys were left inside it.
'Furthermore, a 9mm handgun was underneath the driver's seat,' the statement revealed.
'The public is advised that Caillier is considered armed and extremely dangerous. It is strongly advised not to confront him if spotted. Instead, individuals are urged to contact local law enforcement immediately.'
The alert from the department headquartered just over ten miles from the facility, and revealed Caillier was being held on local charges of First Degree Burglary and Assault in the third degree.
Seen here is the hospital in La Junta, 150 miles southeast of Denver, from which he escaped
In it, officials thanked staff at the Otero County Sheriff's Office and La Junta Police Department - the two forces that oversee where Valley Regional resides.
Investigators also thanked the Bent County Sheriff's Posse and Bent County Deputies, thanking them for assistance 'in the initial search efforts', which ultimately came up empty.
In an accompanying update aired shortly before, the Baca County Sheriff's Office - stationed some two hours away - was the first to reveal that Collier had allegedly stole a white minivan with the Colorado license plate BFMW09, while not providing much more detail.
The department did, however, reveal the alleged theft either occurred on April 11 - the day of the escape - or in the early morning hours of April 12.
According to the sheriff's office - which is set near the small town of Springfield - the van had a full tank of gas, as well as a 9mm firearm hidden underneath the driver's seat.
Other details - such as the location of the theft of the stolen car's owner - were not provided, but investigators did say the van has damage on the passenger's side door, as well as a rear view mirror on its passenger side.
Otero Sheriff's Office Deputy Shawn Mobley told KKTV that the escape occurred at about 11:39 p.m. Thursday, and officers from his force were 'on scene within minutes'
A deputy from the Otero Sheriff’s Office, meanwhile, told KKTV that the escape occurred at 11:39pm Thursday, and that officers from his force were 'on scene within minutes.'
Since then, they've used a combination of dogs, drones, thermal scanners and other tracking technology to find the accused burglar, Deputy Shawn Mobley told the station - adding that he and others are 'following up on a couple of leads from the community, as well.'
The deputy and security guard attacked during the escape, he said, were treated for minor injuries and have since been released.
This incident is currently under investigation, with authorities from the aforementioned forces' asking any information Ronald Caillier's whereabouts be reported to local law enforcement agencies promptly.
As of writing, he remains at large.
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