Prisoner Slips Handcuffs, Escapes From Hospital
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NEWPORT BEACH — Police were searching Wednesday for a 185-pound prisoner who slipped his handcuffs and fled from a hospital where he had been taken for a medical examination.
William Tapia, 36, of Chula Vista escaped from Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian at 6 p.m. because his handcuffs were too loose, said Costa Mesa Police Sgt. George Yezbick.
Tapia had been arrested at 3:30 p.m. by Costa Mesa police on suspicion of violating parole and assaulting his girlfriend with a deadly weapon.
He was taken to the hospital for asthma medication before he was to be booked, and was handcuffed to a gurney behind drapes.
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