A homicide suspect who had escaped from Sutter Roseville Medical Center in California was found near a residential neighborhood on Monday and apprehended by authorities, according to officials.
Eric Abril, 35, had managed to escape from the medical center on July 9 but was spotted by a homeowner walking his dog the next day. The homeowner’s dog started barking, alerting the homeowner to Abril’s presence in the greenbelt area. Law enforcement quickly descended on the scene and successfully took Abril into custody, as announced by Placer County Sheriff Wayne Woo at a news conference on July 10.
When Abril was apprehended, he was only wearing jail-issued boxer shorts and a belly chain that he had on when he escaped from custody. The sheriff noted that Abril’s jail pants were found nearby in a creek in the green space area. After his recapture, Abril was once again taken to Sutter Roseville Medical Center for medical clearance, before being transferred to the South Placer County Jail, where he would be housed.
Authorities are currently investigating how Abril managed to escape from the medical center. He was meant to be under constant surveillance while at the hospital but was able to elude a deputy by running down a flight of stairs, out the doors, and across a parking lot. The preliminary investigation revealed that Abril had somehow managed to free himself from his restraints, including leg shackles.
Sheriff Woo expressed his commitment to ensuring that such an escape would never happen again, stating that they would review their policies, procedures, and equipment. He took full responsibility for the incident.
Over 70 law enforcement officers from various agencies, including the FBI and U.S. Marshals Service, participated in the search for Abril. They utilized helicopters, drones, police dogs, and armored vehicles to comb through the neighborhoods in the quiet suburbs where Abril was located.
In a press release by the Placer County District Attorney’s Office, it was revealed that Abril faced charges of murder, aggravated kidnapping, and attempted murder of a peace officer, among other related charges. These charges stemmed from a shooting incident that occurred in a Roseville park on April 6. The shooting took place when California Highway Patrol officers were attempting to serve a warrant to Abril, resulting in one fatality and multiple injuries. Abril also took two civilians hostage and shot them before himself being injured and hospitalized.
The DA’s office is also pursuing charges of possession of a firearm by a felon, alleging that Abril had previously been convicted of a serious or violent felony.
Roseville, the city where the shooting and escape occurred, is situated about 16 miles northeast of Sacramento.
The recapture of Abril was a significant milestone for law enforcement, who had dedicated significant resources and effort to ensure his capture. The collaboration between various agencies played a crucial role in the successful apprehension of the dangerous suspect.
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