“The patient decided to leave the emergency room and was apprehended by police a short time later,” said Michael Mattingly, a spokesperson for TriHealth, which owns Bethesda Butler Hospital.
“We are working with police to review the situation and, if necessary, develop specific procedures regarding patients hand-offs.”
INITIAL STORY: Naked man captured by police after fleeing hospital, his second foot chase of the day
Martin was arrested Monday afternoon by Farifield Twp. police near the Five Points intersection. He was first approached by police on Exeter Street, where an officer began to question him.
After his arrest, Martin complained of medical problems, said Fairfield Twp. Police Sgt. Brandon McCroskey. He said anyone arrested has a right to medical treatment, and Martin was transported to the hospital.
Police told Bethesda Butler Hospital staff to let them know when Martin was to be discharged, which police and hospital officials confirmed.
Bethesda Butler Hospital employs security officers, Mattingly said.
McCroskey said officers typically don’t sit and wait for a patient to be discharged before taking the suspect to jail after medical treatment, unless that suspect was arrested for a violent crime or has a history of violent crimes.
Martin was charged with misdemeanor crimes: obstruction of justice for providing a false name and possession of a drug abuse instrument when police found a hypodermic needle in a pocket of his camouflage jacket.
Police are familiar with Martin, who has previously been arrested on theft, aggravated robbery, burglary, domestic violence, driving under suspension, various drug-related charges, and fleeing or eluding an officer, according to court records.
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