BUNNELL, Fla. – The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office said the deputy assigned to the inmate who fled from a hospital on July 27 was likely sleeping during the escape.
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Anthony Romine, 29, was caught in the woods by the Amoco gas station near the southbound ramp at I-95 and State Road 100 in Palm Coast on July 27. The gas station is across the street from the hospital he escaped from.
On the day of the escape, Deputy Tyrique Harper was reassigned to administrative duties while a review of the incident was being conducted.
On July 30, Harper resigned before the start of a formal internal investigation under Florida’s Police Officers Bill of Rights.
“Our review of this incident indicates there was a failure to follow policies that are designed to keep the community safe and inmate in custody when they are taken to an outside facility for medical treatment,” Chief of Staff Mark Strobridge said. “Fortunately, Romine was apprehended, and no additional crimes were committed by him in his escape attempt. Sheriff Staly expects all deputies will follow our policies and not sleep while on-duty. Our Agency motto is ‘An Honor to Serve, A Duty to Protect,’ and that did not occur in this incident by Deputy Harper. "
Harper has been employed with FCSO since June 7, 2021.
Watch the body-cam arrest footage below: