Camden, N.J. – A Camden man has been charged after running away from Ancora Psychiatric Hospital staff Feb. 18, according to Acting Camden County Prosecutor Jill S. Mayer and Berlin Township Police Chief Leonard Check.
Officials say, Mr. Marvin Smith, 41, is charged with Third Degree Escape from Parole, Fourth Degree Contempt of Court, Third Degree Burglary and Disorderly Persons Theft.
Smith was being taken back to Ancora after receiving treatment at an area hospital for a minor injury around 10:30 p.m.
According to Camden County officials, when the car Smith was in stopped at a red light at the intersection of Rt. 73 and Cross Keys Road, hospital workers said he took off running.
Officers from the Camden County Prosecutor’s Office, Berlin Township Police Department, N.J. Transit Police and Camden County Office of Emergency Management all responded to search for Smith.
The Voorhees Township Police Department, Cape May County Sheriff’s Department and N.J. State Department of Corrections responded with K-9 units to track Smith’s scent. The Human Service Police also deployed a drone.
Detectives said they received multiple tips on Smith’s location around 7 a.m. Feb. 19, after a reverse 911 call was made.
When officers responded to Franklin Ave. in Berlin Township, Smith was riding a bike and was taken into custody.
Throughout the investigation, detectives learned Smith broke into a resident’s shed before sleeping in another resident’s car. Police said he then went back to the shed and stole the bike he was later caught on.
Smith is in the Camden County Correctional Facility pending a detention hearing.
IMAGE CREDIT: New Jersey Department of Human Services