FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Authorities in Broward County have confirmed that an escaped inmate was taken into custody Wednesday, but not before he led police on a chase through several cities.
The inmate, identified by Broward Sheriff’s Office deputies, as Azmi Mahmoud, 46, had left a mental health facility undetected Tuesday around 5:45 p.m. According to BSO, Mahmoud was taken to the Henderson Behavioral Health Facility in Fort Lauderdale per court order on Tuesday.
Less than 24 hours after his escape, officers from the Davie Police Department located Mahmoud in the area of Griffin Road and Weston Road around 2:51 p.m.
When Davie police tried to stop Mahmoud, who was driving a white BMW reported stolen Wednesday morning from Hollywood, he fled and eventually crossed over into Miami-Dade County. That’s when Miami-Dade Police Department along with Broward Sheriff’s Office joined the chase.
When he attempted to drive in the wrong direction after an almost 30-minute pursuit, Broward Sheriff’s Office V.I.P.E.R. (Violence Intervention Proactive Enforcement Response) unit detectives were able to stop him.
The chase ended near Northwest 42nd Avenue and Gratigny Parkway in Miami-Dade County.
Mahmoud now faces more charges including escape and fleeing and eluding law enforcement officers.
He was being held without bond for violation of probation since November on charges including battery on a person 65 years old or older, grand theft and possession of cocaine and several other charges, records show.