HARRIS COUNTY, Texas (KTRK) — The search continues for a “career criminal” who escaped custody while in the hospital after his handcuffs were taken off, Pct. 4 Constable Mark Herman said.
Law enforcement told ABC13 that the wanted suspect, James Willis, 35, of Dallas, Texas, is a career criminal and is asking the community for help in finding him.
Constable Herman said Willis was arrested on a family violence charge, and while in custody, complained of chest pain and was taken to the HCA Houston Healthcare Northwest.
During medical testing, Herman said a nurse requested that Willis’ handcuffs be removed. Officials said that’s when Willis took an opportunity to flee.
“During that time period is when he ended up rolling off the gurney and where they had him,” Herman said. “I guess all the rooms were filled…so they basically had him in a bed in the hallway. And in the hallway, he was right by an exit door. Clearly, he was able to size up his situation to know, ‘I have a split second to roll off this side and hit that door,’ and that’s exactly what he did.”
The search first started Saturday around 3:40 p.m. on Westfield Place and the North Freeway. About two blocks away, Herman said Willis carjacked a driver without using a weapon.
A video obtained exclusively by Eyewitness News shows the moments the man police identified as Willis forced his way inside a driver’s car at a gas station minutes after he escaped.
A shirtless Willis is seen at a gas station less than a mile from the hospital, jumping inside of a stranger’s car as you can hear sirens.
According to Herman, Willis acted like he had a gun and forced the driver to take him several blocks before he jumped out and fled again.
He added that investigators believe Willis may have returned to the Dallas area, and authorities there have been notified, but that law enforcement will remain vigilant in case he is still in Harris County.
“We have our own internal investigation ongoing about things that we probably could’ve done better, and we’ll go from there,” Herman said.
As for Willis’ alleged domestic violence victim, Constable Herman said deputies are providing security, and he confirmed she is safe.
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