Patient allegedly steals physician's white coat to escape Texas hospital after arrest

Ayla Ellison -

A 33-year-old woman has been charged with a felony after police say she took a physician's white coat and used it to escape police custody at UMC Brackenridge Hospital in Austin, Texas, according to a KEYE news report.

Police arrested Deeanna Gibbs Jan. 14 after finding a syringe containing heroin and plastic baggies containing suspected heroin residue in her purse. Police took Ms. Gibbs to the Travis County jail. She was then sent to UMC Brackenridge Hospital to have an infected cut on her fingers examined, according to the report.

While waiting to be discharged from the hospital, police said Ms. Gibbs repeatedly pleaded with officers to let her use the restroom. About five minutes after being given permission to use the restroom, a nurse told officers Ms. Gibbs was no longer in the restroom.   

Officers looked for Ms. Gibbs in the hospital for about an hour before concluding the search. A few hours later, an officer found Ms. Gibbs in downtown Austin wearing a physician's coat inscribed "Austin Radiological Association, Andrew R. M.D.," according to the report.

Ms. Gibbs was arrested and charged with escape from custody, a third-degree felony. 

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