Handcuffed man captured after escaping from police custody at Orange County hospital

A man who was handcuffed and in police custody after he was arrested on suspicion of possessing a stolen vehicle escaped early Sunday from an Orange County hospital, authorities said.

But after about nine hours at large, Javier Anguiano was recaptured by police, who found him hiding in a residential neighborhood, according to La Palma Police Sgt. Ron Wilkerson.

Anguiano was being treated at La Palma Hospital for injuries from a traffic collision when he managed to free himself and flee from a police officer, Wilkerson said.

Anguiano, 30, was handcuffed with his hands in front of his torso when he escaped about 1:15 a.m., Wilkerson said. He was last seen running south from the hospital, located near Orange County’s border with Los Angeles County.

A resident of Santa Ana, Anguiano was originally arrested on suspicion of possession of a stolen vehicle and drugs, Wilkerson said.

Police said he was also going to be booked on suspicion of escaping police custody.

At the time of the escape, he was wearing an unbuttoned, plaid short-sleeved shirt, black leather loafers and blue jeans.

Anyone with information about Anguiano is asked to contact the La Palma Police Department at (714) 690-3300.

matt.hamilton@latimes.com

Twitter: @MattHjourno.

UPDATES:

11 a.m.: This story was updated with confirmation that the suspect was captured by police.

This article was originally published at 10:40 a.m.