Man tries to run from cops at hospital

July 23, 2013 at 12:00a.m.

youngstown

Police say a Campbell man recuperating from a heroin overdose at St. Elizabeth Health Center tried to run from police early Monday when they came to take him to jail after his treatment was over.

Ernest M. Rayford, 30, of Campbell, faced charges of possession of a drug abuse instrument and a warrant for unauthorized removal after he was taken to St. Elizabeth for treatment of an overdose, reports state.

An officer was dispatched to the hospital about 2:45 a.m. Monday to pick up Rayford and take him to the Mahoning County jail because his treatment was done, reports state.

The officer went into his room to get him, and Rayford asked if he could use the restroom, reports said. When he was told yes, he walked a couple of steps toward the restroom in the room, then took off running.

Rayford ran through the emergency room and was pulling at the knobs on several doors, trying to find a place to hide, reports state, with the officer behind him.

He managed to get through an electronic door at an exit and then went into an unlocked closet, reports said.

He then tried to barricade himself inside the closet, but the officer, with help from a Humility of Mary Health Partners officer, managed to get the door open, but he did wrestle with Rayford before he could be handcuffed.

Rayford had a charge of resisting arrest added, reports said.

Rayford has past convictions for the charges of burglary and possession of cocaine.

Past charges of carrying a concealed weapon and robbery were dismissed, court records show.