Escaped prisoner back in custody after chance run in with police at national night out

STAFFORD, Va. — A Dumfries man is back in custody after an attempted escape from a correctional officer at Stafford Hospital Center on Thursday.

Robert Ouzts, who was being treated at the hospital while in custody of the Rappahannock Regional Jail, allegedly assaulted a correctional officer before fleeing the hospital at 5:56 p.m., according to the Stafford County Sheriff’s Office. Authorities were immediately alerted to the escape and deputies quickly established a perimeter around the area.

Deputies deployed a drone while K-9 units, including Deputy S.T. Myers and K-9 Gunner, began tracking Ouzts. He was located a short time later, hiding in vegetation near a pond on the hospital grounds. Ouzts surrendered without further incident to Sergeant M.L. Jacobeen, according to the sheriff’s office.

The correctional officer involved in the initial assault was not seriously injured.

Ouzts had been arrested two days earlier at Stafford Market Place after allegedly driving recklessly on a motorcycle and nearly hitting pedestrians.

During that incident, Ouzts also fled on foot and was captured after a pursuit involving a taser. He was found to have outstanding warrants in Prince William County.

New charges related to the escape attempt include assault and battery on a correctional officer, escape with force, and felony by prisoner, among others.

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