SAN DIEGO — A man who was heading to jail charged with attempted murder Saturday night will now face several more charges after he attempted to escape from deputies while in the hospital, according to authorities. San Diego Sheriff’s deputies said the suspect who was arrested in Spring Valley put up a fight at UC San Diego Medical Center in Hillcrest triggering a big security response.
Cop cars and several deputies were at the ready in front of the hospital’s emergency room because of the violent and unruly would-be inmate. Deputies say the man – 26-year-old Cesar Maldonado Jr. - was in their custody but needed medical care first.
While in the ICU, Maldonado said he had to use the restroom. Officers say that's when he tried to escape.
"[A] sheriff’s deputy tried to take him back in custody, there was a struggle, [the] suspect attempted to grab [the] deputy’s weapon,” said San Diego Police Department Lieutenant Erwin Manansala.
Deputies called for backup around 6:30 p.m. and San Diego police rushed in.
No one was injured and with the help of SDPD and UCSD security, Maldonado was once again taken into custody.
Authorities say the violence began at 5 a.m. Saturday, when Maldonado allegedly got into a fight with his father in Spring Valley hitting him with some sort of tool. He also tried to hurt a female at his dad’s house - all while in front of an infant, according to deputies.
Deputies say they had to use a Tazer on him and per protocol anyone who has been tazed is taken to the hospital. But the hospital visit turned escape attempt landed Maldonado in jail facing even more charges.
Maldonado faces charges of child endangerment, elder abuse and attempted murder stemming from the incident with his father in Spring Valley. He will also face charges related to his attempted escape from the hospital.