Psychiatric patient tried to escape again this morning, internal investigation launched
SAN LEANDRO, Calif. (BCN) - A patient at a San Leandro psychiatric hospital escaped the facility Thursday evening, carjacked one car and tried to carjack another before leading deputies on a pursuit across Interstate Highway 580, according to Alameda County sheriff's officials. He was eventually captured and returned to the hospital.
We have now learned the patient tried to escape again this morning from a hospital bed at a different facility, but was quickly held down.
Alameda Health System has launched a full internal investigation following the escape of the patient, Dorian Mulder. They issued a statement on Friday that said they will "strengthen security" protocols in light of this incident.
The incident occurred around 6:20 p.m. when the male patient somehow fled from John George Psychiatric Hospital at 2060 Fairmont Drive, Sgt. Ray Kelly said. The man then went to the parking lot of the nearby Fairmont Hospital and got inside a car in which a teen boy was sitting in the passenger's seat.
The suspect struck the teen and tried to flee in the car, but quickly crashed it into a garbage truck just several hundred feet away, according to Kelly. The suspect then got out of that car and attempted to carjack another car. The second vehicle had an elderly man inside. The suspect allegedly bit the elderly man in an attempt to get the keys to the car. The suspect, however, was unable to get the keys and fled toward Highway 580. When deputies followed him, the suspect then ran across the highway.
A vehicle traveling on the highway then struck him, but the man got back on his feet and continued to flee and made it across all lanes of the highway. Deputies were able to catch up with him after finding him hiding in bushes along the highway and took him into custody.
The suspect, whose identity has not been released, was arrested on suspicion of carjacking, attempted carjacking, kidnapping, assault and resisting arrest, Kelly said. Both victims in the carjacking and attempted carjacking received treatment for their injuries. Additionally, the driver of the car that struck the suspect on Highway 580 was not injured and stopped at the scene.
According to Kelly, the suspect was initially at the hospital for a psychiatric hold and was not in custody prior to the incident.
Read Alameda Health System's full statement:
Providing the highest quality of care for those we serve is a priority for Alameda Health System–John George Psychiatric Hospital, and the safety and security of these vulnerable patients is of utmost concern.
We regret an incident that occurred on Thursday night, which lead to a JGPH patient making an unauthorized departure through a secure gate in a locked patient patio, and subsequently attempting to highjack a car and assaulting a member of the Fairmont Hospital staff. John George staff were immediately aware of the patient’s departure and notified law enforcement.
Alameda Health System is taking this incident extremely seriously and is working with local and state authorities, while launching a full internal investigation into the circumstances that enabled this patient to leave the premises. We are immediately assessing whether a mechanical malfunction or other factors impacted the functioning of the gated and secure area. AHS has subsequently strengthened security protocols to ensure all exterior egresses are monitored and securely locked.