Police in Florida have apprehended a mentally-ill prisoner with "death" tattooed on his face and a history of violence who had escaped from a psychiatric hospital.
Pembroke Pines Police Department said its officers detained 33-year-old John Ireland in Oakland Park after a citizen recognized him from images released to the public after the prisoner went missing.
Ireland now faces charges for the escape from South Florida State Hospital and he will be transported to the BSO Main Jail for detention.
"Thank you to our community and news media partners for assisting us in locating this individual," the police department said in a release.
The convict, who police said is diagnosed with schizophrenia and has a history of violent behavior, escaped from the hospital at around 4 p.m. on Wednesday by climbing over a fence. He was a court-ordered patient of the hospital at 800 E Cypress Drive.
Ireland, a white Hispanic male, is an easily identifiable person. He is 6'5" in height, 200lbs, and has multiple facial tattoos. He was seen traveling on foot wearing a black long-sleeved shirt and black pants after his escape from the facility.
"Officers conducted an extensive search in the surrounding areas, including K-9 and BSO Aviation Units, but due to the time delay the subject could not be located," police said in their initial release, hours before Ireland was located.
Police also said they were unsure if he had any weapons and warned the public not to approach him but to contact 911 in the event of a sighting. Additional patrols were laid on "to ensure the safety of our residents."
Elsewhere in Florida on Monday, a homeless man on Okaloosa Island vandalized a series of cars before passing out nearby and later blaming President Donald Trump and the mafia for his actions.
Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office said 30-year old Justin James Wilson is charged with 14 counts of felony criminal mischief and six counts of misdemeanor criminal mischief.
In the incident, Wilson allegedly created around $30,000 in damage to at least 20 cars parked at the Holiday Inn Resort at 1299 Miracle Strip Parkway.
"Witnesses say Wilson used rocks and a belt buckle to smash windows and beat the cars," the sheriff's office said in a release.
Deputies found Wilson unconscious on a bench. Upon waking, he admitted to breaking the vehicles' windows—and blamed President Trump.
"Take me to jail," Wilson told deputies. "I did it because Donald Trump owes me one trillion dollars and these vehicles belong to the mafia."
Uncommon Knowledge
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
About the writer
Shane Croucher is a Senior Editor based in London, UK. He oversees the My Turn team. He has previously overseen ... Read more
To read how Newsweek uses AI as a newsroom tool, Click here.
