An Illinois Department of Corrections inmate is back in custody after he escaped from Stroger Hospital early Wednesday, police confirmed.
Alex Bell, 23, was being held at IDOC on a residential burglary charge, Chicago Police said. He apparently was part of a work-release program.
A Stroger representative said Bell was admitted to the emergency room around 2 a.m. for an unknown medical issue. He escaped when the officer guarding him went to the bathroom, she said.
Though it's not clear exactly when the inmate escaped, police said they were notified at 6:08 a.m. of Bell's disappearance.
Bell stands 5-foot-11 and weighs about 170 pounds. Police said he was last seen wearing black shorts and a white T-shirt.
It's not known whether he was handcuffed or restrained.
