Murder Suspect Who Left Hospital Surrenders

A northwest Indiana murder suspect who walked away from an Oak Lawn hospital while being treated for a gunshot wound turned himself in to authorities Monday.

Mark Cherry, 21, of Lake Station is accused of taking part in a violent armed robbery at a Gary, Indiana, home that took the life of 22-year-old Rolando A. Correa. He was charged with murder and attempted murder.

Gary police say Cherry surrendered at 10:30 a.m. along with his attorney. Police had issued a nationwide alert for his capture.

Cherry was hospitalized at Advocate Christ Medical Center after suffering a gunshot wound in the early December altercation.

A couple of months later, when Cherry was discharged, the hospital allowed him to walk away free, police say.

Gary police say they should have been flagged when Cherry was scheduled to be released, but hospital officials say that rules prevent them from notifying a person or agency about a patient's pending discharge unless the patient agrees to it.

Gary Police Chief Wade Ingram said the department is working with the Cook County Sheriff's Department, the Oak Lawn Police Department and other agencies to try to prevent the situation from happening again.

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