Prisoner escapes from police custody while in hospital

Police: Kenneth Hickman, 19, considered armed, dangerous

DETROIT – Detroit police are searching for a prisoner who they say escaped from Sinai Grace Hospital on Detroit's west side Wednesday around 6:06 p.m.

Officials said Kenneth Hickman, 19, was facing robbery and felonious assault charges for allegedly robbing a 42-year-old woman and a 29-year-old woman at gunpoint on May 9. He was being treated at Sinai Grace Hospital after being shot during the robbery.

An officer who was assigned to Hickman stepped out of the room for a moment -- believing that Hickman was cuffed to the bed -- as they prepared to transfer him to the Detroit Detention Center when he escaped.

Surveillance video from the hospital shows Hickman running through the hospital in a white T-shirt and burgundy scrubs.

"We believe him to be dangerous, considering what he was being held for," said Lashinda Houser, Detroit Police Department first assistant chief.

No other details were immediately released.

Anyone with any information on Hickman's whereabouts is urged to call 911 immediately.

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