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Female Prisoner Slipped Leg Shackles Before Making Harlem Hospital Escape

By Jeff Mays | December 22, 2010 12:04pm

By Jeff Mays

DNAInfo Reporter/Producer

HARLEM — The woman who escaped from police custody at Harlem Hospital Monday did so after slipping leg shackles that had been placed over her boots, Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly said Wednesday.

Tashia Evans, 28, was waiting to be cleared to leave the hospital at Lenox Avenue and 135th Street around 1:30 p.m. Monday when she escaped. Kelly said officers had removed the handcuffs from Evans' wrist at the request of medical personnel so she could receive treatment.

Evans also had leg shackles but they were placed over her boots and she was able to slip them off, Kelly said.

"The doctors asked the police officer to take the handcuffs off to administer treatment," said Kelly.

"She was able to get out of the leg shackles and get out of the hospital," Kelly added.

Officials from the Health and Hospitals Corporation have said that they are responsible only for medical care of of those in police custody.

"HHC is responsible for the patient’s medical care while law enforcement ensures custody," the official said.

Police said an officer has been suspended in the incident. The Daily News reported the officer was Harold Nunez, from the 26th precinct in Manhattanville.

Evans, who remains at large, was arrested at 11:40 a.m. Monday inside a Chase Bank on Broadway and 112th Street after allegedly trying to pass a forged check. Evans put up a fight and assaulted officers when they came to arrest her, the NYPD said.

She was initially taken to the NYPD station house, but had to be transported to Harlem Hospital after she started complaining of chest pains, police said.

Evans is described as 5-foot 2-inches and approximately 160 pounds. She was last seen wearing a black parka jacket and gray pants.

Anyone with information is asked to call the NYPD’s Crime Stoppers Hotline at 800-577-TIPS (8477) or text TIP577 to 274637.