Dustin Ohm, the man charged with numerous felonies, including the attempted aggravated murder of a Marysville police officer, has been secured in police custody after initially eluding law enforcement by departing from a Columbus hospital, according to reports from local news outlets. Earlier, Ohm was transported from a rehabilitation center to the Ohio State Wexner Medical Center for an appointment, after which he was discharged with the expectation to return to the rehab facility, however, he left the premises, leading to the brief manhunt that ended upon his recapture.
The oversight in supervision that allowed Ohm to escape was marked by a lack of law enforcement presence during his arrival and discharge from the Wexner Medical Center, as confirmed by a spokesperson for the facility, he walked away when he should have been transported back to the rehab center, prompting Columbus police to launch a search around 6 p.m., a detailed recount of the events indicated to WBNS. Notably, Columbus Police were warned by the Union County Sheriff's Office about Ohm's disappearance, law enforcement were vigilant, and witnesses spotted Ohm making his getaway on a scooter.
Union County Sheriff Mike Justice informed ABC6 News via text message that "[Ohm] was not in our custody yet, and arrangements were made to pick him up Friday that was when he was medically supposed to be released," underscoring the miscommunication that might have contributed to the lapse allowing Ohm's brief escape. Remarkably, despite the belief that Ohm could not walk without assistance, he managed to leave the hospital premises, sparking the search which culminated in his capture.
Approximately an hour later, Ohm was located hiding in a van outside a family member's home on Sale Road in the North Linden section of Columbus, with police taking no chances given his criminal history, "If he wouldn’t have come out of that van, probably would be a SWAT barricade," Sgt. Joe Albert remarked as around 20 police cruisers swarmed the area to ensure Ohm's apprehension, this scene, according to Columbus Police, and relayed by NBC4i. Charged with a litany of offenses stemming from a May incident where he allegedly shot at and injured a police officer before fleeing, striking multiple vehicles, including a police cruiser, Ohm’s escape and subsequent capture adds yet another chapter to an already dramatic confrontation with law enforcement.
