Melbourne Police: Escaped detainee found hiding in home in Palm Bay, police say

Wanted man captured 24 hours after escaping custody at Florida hospital

A wanted suspect was captured at a home in Palm Bay about 24 hours after slipping out of handcuffs and running from the Orlando Health Melbourne Hospital, police said.

MELBOURNE, Fla. - The manhunt for a suspect who slipped out of his handcuffs and escaped the custody of two Melbourne police officers on Wednesday night has ended. Police said the nearly 24-hour search ended Thursday night after the escaped man was found at a home in nearby Palm Bay.

In a brief statement, Melbourne Police said Eric Jordon Jerry, 24, was found hiding and attempting to conceal himself at a home in northwest Palm Bay.

"Members of the Melbourne Police Department’s Intelligence Unit, in coordination with members of the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office Fugitive Unit developed reason to believe Eric Jerry was hiding at a home in Northwest Palm Bay. They contacted the resident, who ultimately granted permission to search the property. Mr. Jerry was found attempting to conceal himself and taken into custody by the entry team," the police department said.

He is facing charges of escape, battery on a law enforcement officers, resisting with violence, and resisting without violence, according to a news release from Melbourne Police Department.

How did he escape?

What we know:

Police said Eric Jordon Jerry was arrested on Wednesday on an outstanding warrant. He suffered a medical episode while on the way to the jail and was brought to Orlando Health Melbourne Hospital, police said.

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As officers were removing the man from the patrol vehicle, authorities said Jerry "somehow removed his handcuffs" and then attacked two officers, before running into nearby woods. 

The Brevard County Sheriff's Office is assisting Melbourne Police in searching for the man.

What they're saying:

"Everybody’s different… some people have joints and knuckles that are double-jointed, and they move in different directions," said Melbourne Police Commander Shawn Eising.

"We utilized every tool and resource we had available," said Eising. "The search was extensive; it ran into the night – close to around midnight. Our officers ended up determining they were not going to locate him."

Danger or threat?

"There’s a danger… and then there’s a threat," said Eising. "We believe the intention was to get away from the police officers and escape. Now if a citizen confronts him, I can’t say that he wouldn’t harm them. That’s why we encourage: if you see this individual – call us."

Where is Orlando Health Melbourne Hospital?

Orlando Health's Melbourne Hospital is located off N. Wickham Road in Melbourne. Directly behind and in front of the hospital are wooded areas, according to satellite view of Google Maps.