What started as a routine inmate transport in Melbourne turned into an ongoing manhunt after police say a handcuffed prisoner attacked officers outside Orlando Health Melbourne Hospital and disappeared into nearby woods.
Melbourne police today were still searching for 24-year-old Eric Jordon Jerry, who investigators say slipped his restraints, fought with officers, then ran off into a wooded area and has not been seen since.
According to police, officers had taken Jerry into custody Wednesday on an outstanding warrant and brought him to the hospital after he reported a medical episode. While he was being moved to the Brevard County Jail, officers say Jerry got out of his handcuffs, "battered the officers" and took off toward the tree line, prompting an overnight search, as reported by ClickOrlando. Police did not immediately say whether any of the officers suffered serious injuries.
Hospital Scene And Response
For a brief window, the normally calm campus at Orlando Health Melbourne on Wickham Road turned into a law enforcement staging ground. The hospital temporarily went into lockdown as officers swarmed the area, though hospital officials told reporters the inmate did not escape from inside the facility and was last seen outside the hospital.
Multiple nearby agencies, including West Melbourne and Palm Bay police, joined Melbourne officers in the search, and the Brevard County Sheriff's Office provided aviation and K-9 support, as reported by WESH.
Manhunt Effort
What followed was a full-scale hunt through the woods and surrounding neighborhoods. Authorities deployed officers on the ground along with K-9s, drones and a helicopter to try to flush out the fleeing suspect, as reported by FOX 35 Orlando.
Police asked residents to steer clear of the active search area and urged anyone with information to contact Crimeline at 800-423-TIPS.
Records And What We Know So Far
Public arrest logs reviewed by SpaceCoastDaily show an earlier booking for Eric Jordon Jerry on Feb. 8 and list his date of birth as April 10, 2001, which would make him 24.
ClickOrlando reports that after the hospital confrontation, Jerry now faces charges that include escape, battery on a law-enforcement officer and resisting with and without violence.
Authorities said there was no known threat to the public while the manhunt continued and again asked anyone who might have spotted the suspect to contact police, as reported by WESH.
Melbourne police have not released further details about the officers' injuries or any possible motive, and the investigation remains ongoing.
