RICHMOND, Va. (WTVR) -- The Richmond Police Department says that a cuffed prisoner that got away from an officer Thursday has been nabbed in South Richmond.
Police said the U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force discovered Kip Rannels hiding in a residence in the 1800 block of Southlawn Avenue in Hillside Court around 7 a.m Sunday.
Rannels, who attempted to escape, but was quickly captured and officials found the set of cuffs at the house.
Police said the 20-year-old somehow managed to get away from officers and run off while being taken to the city lock up Thursday afternoon.
Major Scott Booth, with the Richmond Police Department told CBS 6 News' Sandra Jones Friday that once the transfer officer arrived, the prisoner was removed per policy, but that he was able to wrench free.
From that point, Booth said Rannels took off dodging through rush-hour traffic downtown.
According to Booth, officers pursued Rannels until they reached the intersection of Hospital Street and Valley Road, but then lost sight of the suspect.
Police said Rannels, who had been arrested on burglary and grand larceny charges, was still in handcuffs when he escaped.
When questioned about the departments transfer procedures, Booth said that generally one officer accompanies a suspect, but added that it depends on the situation.
CBS 6 also questioned Booth about why the RPD waited a day to sound the alarm about the detainee's escape.
Booth said that a watch commander did field some calls about the escape, but that the department didn't want to jeopardize a search involving the U.S. Marshals Task Force.
"In this particular instance... maybe it would be more beneficial to just go the investigative route... [but] hindsight is always 20-20," Booth said. "I'm a big believer if getting out there and getting the community's help."
Booth said the incident has prompted the RPD to review its current policy on suspect transfers to determine if changes need to be made.
Shawn Rodak who works nearby question how this could have happened.
"I don't know who or how someone dropped the ball. But it sounds like somebody dropped the ball,” said Shawn Rodak.
However, Karen Altschul-Kingsley doesn't blame police.
"You could have situation that's 100 percent, but there's always going to be an anomaly,” Altschul-Kingsley said.
