Robbery suspect bolts out of UBH under police escort

A ROBBERY suspect reportedly bolted out of an X-ray room at the United Bulawayo Hospitals (UBH), allegedly under police escort, after he had complained of chest pains following his arrest.

UBH chief executive officer Nonhlanhla Ndlovu confirmed the incident, but declined to divulge further details.

"Yes, something like that happened, but I can't give any details. Why don't you get a comment from the police who have the jurisdiction over the patient since he was under police guard?" Ndlovu said.

A source close to the matter said the suspect escaped on Friday evening.

"He had been arrested for a robbery case," the source said.

"However, he complained of severe chest pains and was taken to UBH under police guard. When they arrived they got into the X-ray room where they removed his handcuffs so that he goes onto the X-ray machine.

However, he took the police by surprise and bolted out of the room and disappeared.

A manhunt was launched for him, but they have failed to locate him until today (Sunday)".

Efforts to get a police confirmation were fruitless and it could not be established whether the suspect had been rearrested by the time of going to print yesterday.