Florida Fugitive’s Bold Escape in Luxury Car Sparks Massive Manhunt

Police cars with flashing lights in line formation.

A prisoner’s daring escape from a Miami hospital has sparked a statewide manhunt, leaving authorities scrambling to recapture the suspect who fled in a luxury sports car.

At a Glance

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

Daring Escape from Miami Hospital

Florida law enforcement agencies are intensively searching for Theodric Collins, a 36-year-old suspect who managed a brazen escape from Jackson Memorial Hospital while in police custody. Collins, initially apprehended by U.S. Customs and Border Patrol at the Port of Miami for multiple out-of-state warrants, reported chest discomfort, resulting in his admission to the hospital.

“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 stated.

High-Speed Getaway and Ongoing Pursuit

The escape vehicle, a silver Maserati with Alabama license plate “GBT862,” was last detected by license plate scanners in Jupiter, Florida, shortly before 4 p.m. on the day of the escape. This suggests that Collins may be attempting to flee the state, possibly heading towards areas where he has prior criminal connections.

#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

Authorities have issued a “be on the lookout” (BOLO) alert, and a multi-agency search is now underway to recapture Collins. The suspect is described as 5 feet, 9 inches tall with a medium build. He was last seen still wearing handcuffs, which raises questions about potential accomplices who may have assisted in his escape.

Criminal History and Potential Destinations

Collins’ criminal record spans multiple states, including Mississippi and Alabama. His history includes arrests for felony shoplifting, reckless driving, fleeing from police, and property theft. In 2023, Collins was reportedly involved in a high-speed police chase in Alabama, further demonstrating his willingness to evade law enforcement.

“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.

Given his prior arrests in Mississippi and Alabama, authorities are considering the possibility that Collins may be heading towards these areas. The use of a vehicle with Alabama plates further supports this theory, although investigators are exploring all potential leads.

Public Assistance Sought

Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers is actively seeking information on Collins’ whereabouts, offering a reward of up to $5,000 for tips leading to his capture. The public is urged to remain vigilant and report any sightings of Collins or the silver Maserati to local law enforcement immediately.

As the manhunt continues, questions arise about the circumstances that allowed Collins to escape and the potential security lapses at the hospital. Authorities have not provided further details on the warrants for Collins, leaving the full extent of his alleged crimes unclear.

This daring escape serves as a stark reminder of the challenges faced by law enforcement in maintaining custody of suspects, especially in medical settings. As the search for Theodric Collins intensifies, the incident highlights the need for stringent security protocols and the importance of public cooperation in apprehending fugitives.