News out of Georgia

A Georgia inmate who is considered "armed and dangerous" used an Uber ride to evade sheriff's deputies after escaping from custody at a hospital, authorities said Dec. 2.

Timothy Shane, 52, escaped from Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta on Dec. 1 at around 1:20 a.m. local time while in deputy custody, according to the Rockdale County Sheriff's Office. Shane had been transported to the hospital at about 8 p.m. on Nov. 30 for a "medical examination after a suicide attempt," the sheriff's office said.

"Shane fled the hospital on foot and stole a SUV parked in the area," the sheriff's office said in a news release on Dec. 1. "Shortly after, inmate Shane was involved in an accident and then fled on foot. The owner of the stolen SUV reported a Glock handgun was stolen from the vehicle."

In an update on Dec. 2, the sheriff's office said further investigation revealed that Shane had requested an Uber ride to a residence in south Rockdale County, located just outside of Atlanta. Deputies executed a search warrant at the residence but were unable to find Shane, according to the sheriff's office.

The sheriff's office warned that Shane is still considered "armed and dangerous." He is now believed to be wearing a red hooded sweatshirt, dark blue pants, and shoes.

"We will continue to follow up on leads as they become available," the sheriff's office said in its update.

Georgia fugitive stole vehicle near Mercedes-Benz Stadium

After Shane fled the hospital, the sheriff's office said deputies — along with other local law enforcement — canvassed the "immediate areas of the escaped inmate."

Video footage showed Shane stealing a silver Pontiac Grand Prix near Mercedes-Benz Stadium, just over a mile from the hospital in downtown Atlanta, according to the sheriff's office. The vehicle was last seen traveling on State Route 138 in Rockdale County heading towards Henry County.

In a statement shared shortly before 9 p.m. local time on Dec. 1, the sheriff's office said he was last known to be located at a Publix supermarket on Highway 155 in Henry County, south of Atlanta. At the time, the sheriff's office said it did not know "if he stole another vehicle or if he is still in that area."

Deputies were sent to the area to investigate and recover the stolen vehicle, according to the sheriff's office. The investigation led to the discovery of the stolen vehicle at the Publix supermarket.

The sheriff's office said it then confirmed that Shane requested an Uber to the residence in south Rockdale County. It was unclear how Shane was able to call an Uber.

'History of fleeing'

Shane was described as 5-foot-9 with a buzzed haircut, according to the sheriff's office. When he escaped from the hospital, he was wearing a blue hospital gown with no shoes.

The sheriff's office said it believes that Shane is now wearing a red hoodie, dark blue pants, and has shoes.

"Shane has a history of fleeing along with felony drug and weapon charges," the sheriff's office said. "He should be considered armed and dangerous."

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Georgia inmate ordered Uber to evade deputies, authorities say

Reporting by Thao Nguyen, USA TODAY / USA TODAY

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