The 30-something prisoner from Essex County had been involved in a minor motor vehicle crash on Brighton Road in Clifton around 11:30 a.m., responders told Daily Voice.
He complained of back pain and was taken to St. Mary's General Hospital in Passaic, in custody, after officers found a warrant for his arrest, they said.
The prisoner escaped, running out into the street, after going to the rest room around 2:30 p.m., one responder said.
Law enforcement officers from Clifton, Passaic and several other agencies converged on the area. They established a perimeter, sent up drones and brought in tracking dogs.
Shortly after 4:30 p.m., a K-9 found the fugitive hiding on Oak Street in Passaic, not far from the hospital.
His identity was being temporarily withheld pending the filing of local and other charges.
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