Oregon murder suspect escapes courthouse in wild security video. Murder suspect Edi Villalobos fled courthouse and was arrested hours later, hiding in closet, police say.
Courthouse surveillance video shows an Oregon murder suspect sprinting away from bailiffs after they unshackled him in court — a requirement under state law — then escaping the building and prompting a massive manhunt.
Edi Villalobos Jr., a 28-year-old accused of murder and a slew of other felonies, was supposed to stand before the court for the start of his trial. Instead, he ran down the hallway and out an employees-only exit, video shows.
“Per Oregon law, the deputies removed all restraints from Villalobos during the jury selection process,” the Washington County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement. “At around 11 a.m., the court took a break, and restraints were placed back on Villalobos. When the break ended, deputies again removed all restraints from Villalobos, as directed by Oregon Law.”
The incident happened on Feb. 28, but the sheriff’s office made the video public Thursday.
After a roughly two-hour manhunt, police arrested him in a Hillsboro apartment, where a neighbor called 911 to report they heard someone trying to break in, according to the sheriff’s office.
“Deputies entered the apartment and located Villalobos hiding in a closet underneath a blanket,” the sheriff said.
Woke Oregon law forcing deputies to unshackle allows murder suspect to run out of court https://t.co/rAQkEQbwph
— National Police Association (@NatPoliceAssoc) March 10, 2023
While in custody awaiting his murder trial, Villalobos racked up charges for unlawful possession of a weapon by an inmate and distributing contraband, court records show.