‘Armed and extremely dangerous’ Colorado inmate overpowers deputy and security before fleeing hospital in prison jumpsuit and handcuffs sparking manhunt

Surveillance footage shows the moment an inmate escaped from a Colorado hospital despite being handcuffed.

The photo shows 38-year-old Ronald Collier running through the halls of Arkansas Valley Regional Medical Center in La Junta, 150 miles southeast of Denver, on Thursday.

The shooting took place just seconds after he overpowered a deputy and a security guard at the facility before fleeing into the night – all while still in his handcuffs.

He was being held on local charges of burglary and assault, area authorities said Friday — as officials from the neighboring sheriff’s office revealed he allegedly fled in a stolen 2007 Dodge Grand Caravan.

Both advised that the suspect, last seen in handcuffs, should be considered ‘armed and dangerous’, issuing a notice warning he remains at large. A search was conducted, during which officers revealed that the car had a full tank of gas and a 9mm under the driver’s seat.

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The shooting took place just seconds after he overpowered a deputy and a security guard at the facility before fleeing into the night – all while still in his handcuffs. He was being held on local charges of burglary and assault, area authorities said as the search continued

“On April 11, 2024, at approximately 2337 hours, Ronald Caillier, age 38, of Gillette, WY, escaped from Arkansas Valley Regional Medical Center following an altercation with a transportation officer,” officials with the Bent County Sheriff’s Office said Friday.

‘Caillier fled the scene from the emergency room wearing black and white striped trousers and an orange T-shirt, despite being handcuffed with his hands in front of his body.

“Caillier, who has ties to Colorado Springs, Greeley and Gillette, Wyoming, is believed to be in possession of a white 2007 Dodge Grand Caravan with Colorado license plate BFMW09.

“The vehicle has damage to the passenger door and a cracked rearview window on the passenger side,” officials revealed.

“Authorities believe the vehicle was stolen as the keys were left inside.

“In addition, there was a 9mm handgun under the driver’s seat,” the affidavit revealed.

‘The public is advised that Caillier is considered armed and extremely dangerous. It is strongly discouraged to confront him if he is spotted. Instead, individuals are urged to contact local law enforcement immediately.”

The alarm from the department’s headquarters, just over ten miles from the facility, indicated that Caillier was being held on local charges of burglary and first-degree assault in the third degree.

Shown here is the hospital in La Junta, 150 miles southeast of Denver, from which he escaped

In it, officials thanked the staff of the Otero County Sheriff’s Office and the La Junta Police Department – the two forces overseeing the Valley Regional location.

Investigators also thanked the Bent County Sheriff’s Posse and Bent County Deputies, thanking them for their assistance “in the initial search efforts,” which ultimately turned up nothing.

In an accompanying update that aired shortly before, the Baca County Sheriff’s Office — stationed about two hours away — was the first to reveal that Collier had allegedly stolen a white minivan with the Colorado license plate BFMW09, without providing many more details.

However, the department did reveal that the alleged theft occurred on April 11 – the day of the escape – or in the early morning hours of April 12.

According to the sheriff’s office – located near the town of Springfield – the van had a full tank of gas, as well as a 9mm firearm hidden under the driver’s seat.

Other details — such as the location of the stolen car’s owner — were not provided, but investigators did say the van has damage to the passenger side, as well as a rearview mirror on the passenger side.

Otero Sheriff’s Office Deputy Shawn Mobley told KKTV that the escape occurred around 11:39 p.m. Thursday and that officers from his force “were on scene within minutes.”

An Otero Sheriff’s Office deputy, meanwhile, told KKTV that the escape occurred at 11:39 p.m. Thursday and that officers from his force “were on scene within minutes.”

They have since used a combination of dogs, drones, thermal scanners and other tracking technology to find the accused burglar, Deputy Shawn Mobley told the station — adding that he and others are “following up on a few leads from the community.” , also.’

He said the deputy and security guard who were attacked during the escape were treated for minor injuries and have since been released.

This incident is currently under investigation, with authorities from the above armed forces requesting that information regarding the whereabouts of Ronald Caillier be immediately reported to local law enforcement authorities.

At the time of writing he is still at large.