Bruce Brutsman, 36, of St. Louis, was charged with escape, after escaping from hospital guards at St. Mary’s Hospital.
Brutsman was in custody for burglary charges, according to court and police records. While in custody, on June 24, he swallowed two batteries from a TV remote. He was checked in to St. Mary’s for treatment under guard. While there he asked to use the bathroom. The guard unlocked his handcuffs and Brutsman went to the bathroom. While he was in the bathroom the guard heard a crash. The guard entered the bathroom and saw Brutsman with his arms over his head holding the ceiling electrical access panel. The guard ordered Brutsman to the bed and took the panel from him. Brutsman then ran from the room and was seen on surveillance video leaving St. Mary’s.
He was captured near Festus the Post-Dispatch reported.