Crime & Safety

Suspect Escaped from Hospital; Police Search Under Way

Prince George's County Police are searching for Byron Matthews, who escaped from Department of Corrections custody at a Clinton hospital.

A man arrested after a Prince George’s County traffic stop escaped from Department of Corrections custody while being checked out at an area hospital for chest pains, authorities say.

The Prince George’s County Police Department is searching for Byron Matthews, 54, who has a 2011 fugitive warrant for distribution of marijuana in Pennsylvania. On Tuesday afternoon, a Prince George’s County Police officer arrested Matthews during a traffic stop.

His last known address is Crittenden Street in Northeast Washington.

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Following his arrest, Matthews was taken to the Department of Corrections for processing.

Minutes after the arresting PGPD officer left the jail, the suspect began complaining of chest pains. He was evaluated by medical staffers, who said Matthews should be checked at a hospital.

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He was taken to Southern Maryland Hospital in Clinton. While there, he escaped from custody, police say.

Anyone with information on Matthews’ whereabouts is asked to call police at 301-772-4475.


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