A Georgia inmate considered “armed and dangerous” took an Uber to evade sheriff’s deputies after escaping from hospital custody, authorities said Tuesday.
According to the Rockdale County Sheriff’s Office, Timothy Schoen, 52, escaped from Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta while in deputy custody around 1:20 a.m. local time on Dec. 1. Shane was taken to the hospital for a “post-suicide checkup” around 8 p.m. on Nov. 30, according to the sheriff’s office.
“Shane fled the hospital on foot and stole an SUV that was parked in the area,” the sheriff’s office said in a Dec. 1 news release. “Shortly thereafter, inmate Shane was involved in an accident and fled on foot. The owner of the stolen SUV reported that a Glock handgun was stolen from the vehicle.”
In a Dec. 2 update, the sheriff’s office said further investigation revealed that Shane had requested an Uber ride to a residence in southern Rockdale County, a suburb of Atlanta. Deputies executed a search warrant at the residence but were unable to find Shane, the sheriff’s office said.
The sheriff’s office warned that Shane is still considered “armed and dangerous.” He is currently believed to be wearing a red hooded sweatshirt, navy blue pants and shoes.
“We will continue to follow up on leads as they become available,” the sheriff’s office said in an update.
Georgia fugitive steals vehicle near Mercedes-Benz Stadium
After Shane fled the hospital, the sheriff’s office said its deputies, along with other local law enforcement, searched the “immediate vicinity of the escaped inmate.”
According to the sheriff’s office, video footage showed Shane stealing a silver Pontiac Grand Prix near Mercedes-Benz Stadium, just over a mile from a hospital in downtown Atlanta. The vehicle was last seen traveling on Route 138 in Rockdale County toward Henry County.
In a statement released just before 9 p.m. local time on Dec. 1, the sheriff’s office said the man was last seen at a Publix supermarket on Highway 155 in Henry County, south of Atlanta. At the time, the sheriff’s office said it did not know “if he stole another vehicle or if he was still in the area.”
The Sheriff’s Office said investigators were dispatched to the scene to search and recover the stolen vehicle. After investigation, a stolen vehicle was recovered at a Publix supermarket.
The sheriff’s office later confirmed that Shane requested an Uber to a residence in southern Rockdale County. It’s unclear how Shane was able to call an Uber.
“History of Escape”
Shane was described as 5 feet 9 inches tall with unkempt hair, according to the sheriff’s office. When he ran away from the hospital, he was wearing a blue hospital gown and no shoes.
The sheriff’s office said they believe Shane is currently wearing a red hoodie, navy blue pants, and shoes.
“Shane has a history of being a fugitive on drug and weapons charges,” the sheriff’s office said. “He should be considered armed and dangerous.”
