Cobb County police are searching for an armed robbery suspect who escaped from custody at WellStar Kennestone Hospital early Friday.
Jules Jackson, 19, was being monitored at the hospital after officers suspected he ingested “a large amount of narcotics” prior to his arrest, Cobb police spokesman Sgt. Wayne Delk told AJC.com. During the night, when the officers detaining him were changing shifts, Jackson reportedly slipped out.
“During that exchange, the arrestee was able to slip out of his handcuffs and out a window,” Delk said.
He was reported missing about 3:30 a.m. and was seen running across the hospital’s roof, according to Nicole Gustin, a spokeswoman for Kennestone.
Cobb police spokeswoman Sarah O’Hara said Jackson had been placed on 24-hour observation for the suspected narcotics he ingested, and police aren’t sure whether the drugs were out of his system at the time of his escape.
The hospital was placed on a temporary lockdown overnight while several officers from Cobb, Marietta and Powder Springs searched the area. Normal operations resumed after police determined he was likely no longer on hospital property.
On Friday, Gustin said the hospital was “taking precautions to ensure the safety of our employees, patients and visitors.”
According to police, no one was injured and there was no immediate cause for concern for the public when Jackson went on the lam.
He faces charges in connection with a Thursday afternoon armed robbery near a Leland Drive hotel in Marietta. David Roberts, 26, was also arrested in that case.
Jackson had not been located as of 3:30 p.m. Friday. Police are asking anyone with information on his whereabouts to dial 911 immediately.
— Please return to AJC.com for updates.
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