Escaped Teen Prompts Late-Night Search Near Murrieta Hospital

A teenager who allegedly escaped from sheriff's custody prompted a large-scale search involving a helicopter and police dog Friday night in Murrieta, authorities said Monday.

The 16-year-old boy had been transported late Friday to Rancho Springs Medical Center in Murrieta for treatment of minor injuries suffered in a family dispute at a home near Mesolite Way and Gypsum Street in Menifee, according to a spokesman for the Riverside County Sheriff's Department.

Earlier in the evening, the juvenile was arrested for alleged battery of another family member after deputies responded to the home just before 7 p.m. Friday, sheriff's Deputy Albert Martinez told Patch.

"They transported him to the hospital because he got cut," Martinez said.

A few hours later, while at the hospital, the teenager escaped custody, Martinez said.

Murrieta police were called at 10:41 p.m. to assist in locating the boy, according to Murrieta police Lt. Rob Firmes.

The perimeter search stretched several blocks north, in an area bordered by Medical Center Drive, Hancock Avenue, Los Alamos Road and Lincoln Avenue.

Aided by a sheriff's helicopter crew and a police Bloodhound, Murrieta police and sheriff's deputies scoured nearby open spaces, neighborhoods, office buildings, apartment complexes and businesses.

"(Deputies) were trying to get him help because he is still a minor," Martinez said.

The boy was not immediately located, and the search that lasted past midnight into the early morning hours of Saturday was called off.

The next day, the juvenile returned home and was re-arrested on suspicion of the battery charge, Martinez said.