CRIMESTOPPERS
Allen Pitts
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A man who escaped from the Hawaii State Hospital remained at large Monday.
Allen Pitts, 47, was found not guilty by reason of mental illness in 2014 after he stole a dump truck with an attached trailer and led police on a chase up and down Kalakaua Avenue near Kapiolani Park, damaging police cars. He then struck a coconut tree, jumped out of the truck and ran into the ocean.
The state Department of Health on Monday said overcrowding at the aging facility not built for high security contributed to Pitts’ escape through a window.
Police said Pitts escaped sometime between 9 and
10 p.m. Saturday from the Kaneohe facility by breaking a window and fleeing. But the hospital staff only discovered him missing during a bed check at 8 a.m. Sunday. He is now wanted for second-degree escape.
“The staff does take this very, very seriously,” said Janice Okubo, spokeswoman for the Department of Health, adding that the hospital is doing well compared with mainland facilities. “We’re trying to have zero incidents.”
The hospital contracted in May with a security company for four additional security guards stationed round the clock, she said.
Anyone who sees Pitts is urged to call CrimeStoppers at 955-8300 or *CRIME on a cellphone. Text CS808 and your message to 274637 or CRIMES.
