Inmate’s Escape Short-Lived

An inmate escaped from Western Medical Center’s custody ward dressed in a nurse’s uniform Thursday afternoon but was caught by hospital security guards a block away, authorities said.

Pamela Lynn Elliott, 38, who was arrested earlier this month on suspicion of possessing stolen property, walked away from the custody ward in the 1000 block of South Anaheim Boulevard about 4:40 p.m., the Sheriff’s Department said.

“The ward has a very heavy door with a very heavy lock and a very heavy sheriff’s deputy standing outside with a key,” Sheriff’s Lt. Richard Paddock said. “She had [the nurse’s uniform] on when she walked out, and the deputy must have thought that she was another nurse.”

A certified nurse at the hospital alerted security guards that an inmate might have left disguised as a nurse, deputies said.

The guards arrested Elliott in the 500 block of West Vermont Street and returned her to the hospital, where she was being treated for a pre-existing medical condition, authorities said.

She was booked on suspicion of attempted escape and bail was set at $10,000.