A man in handcuffs and leg shackles who escaped police custody Thursday while seeking medical attention at St. Joseph’s Hospital was apprehended Friday near Qualicum.
Const. Don Sinclair of the Comox Valley RCMP said Justin Chester was in police custody in relation to various drug charges.
In police cells he requested medical attention and was taken to St. Joseph’s for treatment. While at the hospital, he was able to escape from his treatment room; at the time of his departure from hospital he was still wearing handcuffs with attached leg shackles.
He was located around 5:30 p.m. the next day.
Sinclair added police will be looking at charges related to Chester’s escape from custody, and RCMP will be reviewing the circumstances and their practices. No details about the circumstances surrounding the prisoner’s escape can be released, he noted.