Hospital Escapee Evades Capture: Maserati Theft Sparks Statewide Manhunt

Barbed wire fence against sunset sky background.

A daring escape unfolds as Florida police hunt for Theodric Collins, who fled custody in a stolen Maserati after complaining of chest pains.

At a Glance

Theodric Collins, 36, escaped from Jackson Memorial Hospital while in police custody
Collins fled in a silver Maserati with Alabama license plates
The suspect has a history of arrests in Mississippi and Alabama
A multi-agency search is underway, with a $5,000 reward offered for information

Dramatic Escape from Miami Hospital

Florida law enforcement agencies are engaged in an intense manhunt for Theodric Collins, a 36-year-old suspect who orchestrated a brazen escape from custody at Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami. Collins, who was initially detained by U.S. Customs and Border Patrol at the Port of Miami due to multiple out-of-state warrants, managed to slip away from authorities in a scene reminiscent of a Hollywood movie.

“Authorities are looking for a jail inmate who complained of chest pains and was taken to Jackson-Memorial Hospital where he escaped,” stated Miami-Dade police.

The escape occurred after Collins complained of chest pains, prompting his transfer to the hospital for medical evaluation. Despite being handcuffed, Collins seized an opportunity to flee, making his getaway in a silver Maserati that was waiting outside the emergency room.

#DEVELOPING: The search is on for Theodric Collins. Police said the 36-year-old prisoner escaped while in handcuffs after he was taken to Jackson Memorial Hospital for a medical evaluation because he complained of "chest pains." https://t.co/n7p7lNxPfy

— WSVN 7 News (@wsvn) October 20, 2024

A Well-Planned Getaway

The escape appears to have been meticulously planned. According to police reports, Collins made his move at approximately 2:25 pm, just as he was being cleared for transfer to the Miami-Dade Police Department Warrants Bureau. The timing and presence of the getaway vehicle suggest a coordinated effort.

“After being medically cleared, at approximately 2:25 pm, the MDPD officer was in the process of taking him to MDPD Warrants Bureau when the prisoner escaped to an awaiting newer model silver Maserati, bearing Alabama tag GBT862 that fled the scene,” police explained.

The luxury vehicle, bearing Alabama license plate “GBT862,” was last detected by license plate readers in Jupiter, Florida, shortly before 4 p.m., indicating a rapid northward trajectory. This has led authorities to speculate that Collins may be attempting to return to areas associated with his previous criminal activities in Alabama or Mississippi.

A History of Criminal Activity

Collins is no stranger to law enforcement. His criminal record includes arrests in Mississippi for felony shoplifting, reckless driving, fleeing from police, and property theft. More recently, in 2023, Collins was reportedly apprehended in Alabama following a high-speed police chase, further demonstrating his propensity for evading capture.

The suspect is described as standing 5 feet, 9 inches tall with a medium build. Authorities have issued a “be on the lookout” (BOLO) alert and initiated a multi-agency search to apprehend Collins. The specifics of the warrants that led to his initial arrest at the Port of Miami have not been disclosed, adding an air of mystery to the case.

Public Assistance Sought

Law enforcement agencies are calling on the public for help in locating Collins. Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers has offered a reward of up to $5,000 for information leading to his capture. The involvement of multiple jurisdictions and the suspect’s history of fleeing from police underscore the urgency of the situation.

“A prisoner complaining of chest pain escaped to a getaway Maserati while he was being taken to the hospital in Miami on Saturday,” the Miami-Dade Police Department reported, highlighting the unusual nature of this escape.

As the search continues, authorities remain vigilant, knowing that Collins has demonstrated both the ability and willingness to go to extreme lengths to avoid custody. The public is advised to exercise caution and report any sightings or information to law enforcement immediately, as Collins is considered potentially dangerous given his extensive criminal history and desperate actions to evade justice.