Assault Suspect Escapes Custody While at Hospital

A prisoner accused of assault with a deadly weapon escaped from sheriff’s custody Friday while being treated at San Diego General Hospital.

Gary Tanara, 35, had been admitted to the hospital for injuries to his ribs when he persuaded a private security guard to make a phone call for him, the Sheriff’s Department said.

When the guard, who works under a contract with the county, left the room to make the call, Tanara slipped out of his restraints, dressed himself in his civilian clothes, and left the hospital undetected.

“The contract agreement is that they will guard the prisoners and have them restrained at all times. The prisoners are not supposed to be left alone,” Sgt. Roy Stamper said.

Stamper said the county has a contract with a private security firm to take custody of prisoners who are left at hospitals, a substantial savings in cost over having sworn deputies constantly watch prisoners in hospitals. The private guards are unarmed and not in uniform, Stamper said.

Tanara, an unemployed transient, was described as 5-foot-7 and 140 pounds with wavy collar-length, black hair, brown eyes and a mustache. He may have been wearing gray pants, a beige sweater and white tennis shoes, Stamper said.