A Florida inmate who was apprehended last week following a staged injury and subsequent escape from a hospital managed to evade custody because the deputy assigned to oversee him was “probably asleep,” according to law enforcement officials.
Flagler County Deputy Tyrique Harper stepped down on Tuesday before an internal investigation could commence regarding the escape of 29-year-old Anthony Romine from AdventHealth Palm Coast Hospital, which led to a lockdown of the facility and a significant manhunt for the inmate, according to a statement from the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office.
“Witnesses suggest that Deputy Tyrique Harper was likely asleep during the escape, and that the inmate was not adequately restrained as per policy,” the sheriff’s office reported.
Harper was relieved of his law enforcement duties immediately after the escape on July 27 while a preliminary investigation of the incident took place.
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Anthony Romine, 29, was captured in a wooded area hours after he staged an injury and escaped from law enforcement custody at a Florida hospital. (Flagler County Sheriff’s Office)
Romine was initially taken into custody on July 3 due to a felony warrant for petty theft, violation of his pre-trial release, and counterfeiting. He was subsequently admitted to the hospital after claiming he had fallen, an injury that investigators later found he had fabricated in an attempt to flee back to his home state of Ohio, according to authorities.
Anthony Romine, 29, observed after his capture and prior to his escape on security footage. (Flagler County Sheriff’s Office)
The manhunt extended for about seven hours until a K-9 unit from the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office managed to locate Romine in a wooded area near a gas station in Flagler County. He was discovered hiding beneath some leaves and brush, with video evidence capturing a K-9 pulling a screaming Romine out from the undergrowth.
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“Thankfully, Romine was detained, and no further crimes were committed by him during his escape attempt,” remarked Mark Strobridge, the chief of staff at the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office.
Strobridge stated that Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly, as seen above, anticipates that all deputies adhere to the office’s protocols, including remaining alert during duty hours. (Flagler County Sheriff’s Office, File)
“Sheriff Staly expects all deputies to uphold our policies and refrain from sleeping while on duty,” Strobridge added. “Our Agency motto is ‘An Honor to Serve, A Duty to Protect,’ which was not reflected in Deputy Harper’s actions during this incident.”
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Following Romine’s apprehension, charges now include felony escape in addition to battery on a law enforcement officer without violence.
Fox News’ Louis Casiano contributed to this report.
