Man escapes Bronx hospital

Jose Lopez, a 37-year-old inmate with a lengthy criminal history, escaped police custody while being treated at NYC Health and Hospitals/Lincoln in the Bronx on Thursday. He fled shortly after being arraigned via video from his hospital bed on multiple charges stemming from a reckless motorcycle chase and subsequent drug possession arrest on August 29. Lopez's escape has drawn attention as he is the latest in a series of inmates to elude custody while hospitalized, prompting a manhunt by the NYPD, which has released his surveillance image to aid in the search. Authorities report Lopez is approximately 5 feet 11 inches tall and weighs 170 pounds. He is known to have a significant rap sheet, with 16 prior arrests since 2008. Police are urging anyone with information about his whereabouts to contact the NYPD’s Crime Stoppers Hotline.