A handcuffed prisoner escaped custody and was on the loose Thursday night in Center City, police said.
An officer reported she was chasing the prisoner at 6:32 p.m. and last saw him in the area of 10th and Pine Streets. He later was spotted by a witness in the 400 block of South Jessup Street.
As of 9 p.m., he remained at large.
The 22-year-old escapee was described as a tall black man with tattoos on his face, including the letter "H" between his eyebrows, and cornrowed hair.
He was wearing a black sweater, black jeans, and what police said were black UGG boots.
He was restrained by two handcuffs linked together behind his back, so they were far apart enough that he could step over them and have them in front.
The escaped prisoner was initiall arrested for drugs in West Philadelphia, where he lives, police said. He resisted that arrest attempt, and then while being transported in a police wagon, complained of pain in an arm.
The wagon was on its way to Police Headquarters at Eighth and Race Streets and took a detour to Pennsylvania Hospital at 800 Spruce Street so the prisoner could get treated for his alleged pain.
Somehow, he he got away with the officers in foot pursuit until he outran them and disappeared.
Contact staff writer Ro9bert Moran at 215-854-5983, or bmoran@phillynews.com, or follow @RobertMoran215 on Twitter.
