A 67-year-old woman from Phoenix, Arizona, was taken into custody in Elyria on May 13 after attempting to flee from University Hospitals Elyria Medical Center while under law enforcement supervision.
According to the Lorain County Sheriff’s Office, Linda M. Owens was a passenger in a vehicle stopped by deputies on State Route 57 near the Ohio Turnpike. The driver, identified as Richard Mitchell, did not have a valid license and had outstanding warrants in New York and Florida for robbery, theft, and driving under the influence.
While deputies investigated whether Owens could take possession of the vehicle, they discovered she had ten outstanding felony warrants issued by agencies in Arizona, Florida, and Michigan. Deputies also reported that Owens had used over two dozen aliases.
After deputies informed Owens of the active warrants, she stated she was experiencing a medical issue. She was transported by ambulance to University Hospitals Elyria Medical Center. While there, she attempted to flee but was apprehended outside the emergency room by deputies.
Owens was then transported to the Lorain County Jail. Authorities stated that she confirmed her involvement in the charges and admitted to using multiple aliases, though she was unable to recall all of them.
Police in Coldwater, Michigan, were the first to file for extradition. Owens waived her right to contest the extradition and was released to Michigan authorities. The Lorain County Sheriff’s Office chose not to pursue local escape-related charges in order to facilitate her extradition.