A Jamestown woman is facing a growing list of charges after police say she escaped from a hospital exam room while in custody earlier this week.
Authorities identified the suspect as 38-year-old Virginia Allen. According to police, Allen had initially been detained and was awaiting transport to court for arraignment on charges related to reckless driving and a probation violation. While in custody, she reportedly complained of feeling unwell, prompting officers to take her to Newport Hospital for medical evaluation.
During the examination, police allege Allen managed to manipulate her handcuffs and leave the room without authorization. Her disappearance triggered a search, and officers later located her at a business in North Kingstown. She was then taken back into custody without further incident.
Court records indicate Allen has a lengthy criminal history in Rhode Island, dating back more than a decade, with multiple open cases still pending. Earlier this year, she had appeared in court on a reckless driving charge, where she entered a no-contest plea and received probation along with a temporary license suspension.
Following the latest incident, Allen now faces several new charges. These include attempted second-degree robbery linked to an alleged carjacking, as well as simple assault and battery.
She was scheduled to appear in court again Tuesday in Newport, where the additional charges are expected to be addressed as the case moves forward.
