stormierainn
04-27-2005, 05:30 AM
Escaped killer's freedom brief
By BRUCE A. SCRUTON, Staff writer
First published: Tuesday, April 26, 2005
ALBANY -- A convicted murderer, brought to Albany Medical Center Hospital on Monday for treatment, escaped from a holding area but was recaptured about two hours later when he was discovered in a house about three blocks away.
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Rimell Mitchell, 26, who has served five years of a 21 years-to-life sentence for a murder in Queens, gave up without a struggle when police closed in on him at Park Avenue and Ontario Street shortly before 5 p.m.
It was unclear Monday night whether Mitchell was still wearing leg shackles and handcuffs when captured.
Albany Police Sgt. Fred Aliberti said Mitchell was returned to custody of the state Department of Corrections while city police investigate. The probe will include a possible attempted carjacking and theft of a cellphone at the hospital, along with the apparent burglary of the home on Park Avenue.
Corrections spokesman James Flateau said Mitchell and a second prisoner left the maximum-security prison at Dannemora about 6 a.m. and arrived in Albany about 9:20 a.m. At the hospital, the prisoners were put in a single-story building adjacent to the hospital.
The other prisoner was in the hospital when Mitchell was last seen about 3 p.m. He was reported missing at 3:15 p.m.
Police set up perimeter posts and started roving patrols in the area. The Department of Corrections also had several units in the area. State Police also dispatched a helicopter.
Aliberti said that after Mitchell got out of the special housing area, he apparently made his way into a parking garage, where he allegedly confronted a woman who was getting into her car. He was unsuccessful in getting the vehicle, but did break into another car and stealing a cellphone, police said.
He then made his way over to Park Avenue, but police were not sure if he went through backyards or along the street. At 655 Park Ave., he was confronted by the woman who lives there, who then called to her husband. Aliberti said police received a 911 call from the home at 4:45 p.m., and within a couple of minutes Mitchell was surrounded and surrendered without a struggle.
By BRUCE A. SCRUTON, Staff writer
First published: Tuesday, April 26, 2005
ALBANY -- A convicted murderer, brought to Albany Medical Center Hospital on Monday for treatment, escaped from a holding area but was recaptured about two hours later when he was discovered in a house about three blocks away.
Advertisement
Rimell Mitchell, 26, who has served five years of a 21 years-to-life sentence for a murder in Queens, gave up without a struggle when police closed in on him at Park Avenue and Ontario Street shortly before 5 p.m.
It was unclear Monday night whether Mitchell was still wearing leg shackles and handcuffs when captured.
Albany Police Sgt. Fred Aliberti said Mitchell was returned to custody of the state Department of Corrections while city police investigate. The probe will include a possible attempted carjacking and theft of a cellphone at the hospital, along with the apparent burglary of the home on Park Avenue.
Corrections spokesman James Flateau said Mitchell and a second prisoner left the maximum-security prison at Dannemora about 6 a.m. and arrived in Albany about 9:20 a.m. At the hospital, the prisoners were put in a single-story building adjacent to the hospital.
The other prisoner was in the hospital when Mitchell was last seen about 3 p.m. He was reported missing at 3:15 p.m.
Police set up perimeter posts and started roving patrols in the area. The Department of Corrections also had several units in the area. State Police also dispatched a helicopter.
Aliberti said that after Mitchell got out of the special housing area, he apparently made his way into a parking garage, where he allegedly confronted a woman who was getting into her car. He was unsuccessful in getting the vehicle, but did break into another car and stealing a cellphone, police said.
He then made his way over to Park Avenue, but police were not sure if he went through backyards or along the street. At 655 Park Ave., he was confronted by the woman who lives there, who then called to her husband. Aliberti said police received a 911 call from the home at 4:45 p.m., and within a couple of minutes Mitchell was surrounded and surrendered without a struggle.