CHICAGO
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A Cook County inmate was caught Tuesday eveing after escaping from custody Tuesday morning at John H. Stroger Jr. Hospital, the county sheriff's office confirmed.
Officials said the escaped inmate is Kirk Davis, 27.
Police said Davis was recaptured about 8:30 p.m., and was found on the second floor of a home at 71st Street and Langley Avenue. Police said five people in the home at the time were also taken into custody and were being questioned.
Authorities said they believe Davis' relatives may have been involved in his attempted escape. Davis now faces additional charges.
Handcuffed and shackled, Davis was at the hospital at 1901 W. Harrison Street for a scheduled treatment, the sheriff's office said. At some time between registration and treatment, most of the shackles and handcuffs were removed. Cook County Jail Executive Director Tony Godinez said that at about 9:30 a.m., with shackles on one arm and carrying crutches, Davis overpowered the officer who was escorting him and ran out the door into a waiting vehicle.
Godinez said the vehicle was a van, but Chicago police officers issuing an alert for the vehicle Tuesday are looking for a silver-colored Jeep Liberty SUV, according to police dispatch reports.
The officer was being treated at the hospital as a precautionary measure.
Davis had been in police custody since March 13 on aggravated robbery charges, officials said. According to Sheriff's Department records, he was scheduled for a court appearance on April 10.
Godinez said one officer usually escorts inmates who are brought to the hospital. Sometimes, depending on how dangerous the inmates may be, two or three officers are assigned. On an average day, between seven and nine inmates are brought to the hospital, he said.
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