Freedom short lived for pair of teen inmates

Freedom was short-lived for a couple of teenage inmates. The pair now face escape charges after they overpowered the guards who were taking them to a midtown Tulsa hospital. <br><br>News on Six reporter

Wednesday, November 20th 2002, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

Freedom was short-lived for a couple of teenage inmates. The pair now face escape charges after they overpowered the guards who were taking them to a midtown Tulsa hospital.

News on Six reporter Emory Bryan says a swarm of officers searched Swan Lake for two boys who escaped juvenile custody. They were in a prison van on their way to the hospital when they jumped out.

Tulsa Police Sgt Nick Cory, "Just pulled into the ER parking lot, just opened the doors to let them out and they rushed them and got away, still in handcuffs." The inmates were at the St John Medical Center emergency center for X-rays. Whatever was wrong with them must not have hurt too badly - because they were able to overpower their guards and take off running.

Officers surrounded Swan Lake and closed in with a dog. Even though the inmates were in handcuffs and prison clothes - they managed to hide for more than an hour.

After a dog found them under some bushes - authorities drove them back to the hospital - and under much closer supervision - walked them inside for X-rays - and treatment for dog bites.

The 15 and 17-year-old inmates are being held at the Rader Center in Sand Springs. One is serving a sentence for assault on an officer, the other for burglary.