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Newark Police: Prisoner Escapes From UMDNJ Hospital

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) - A prisoner escaped from UMDNJ Hospital in Newark Monday afternoon, authorities said.

Elijan Shabazz was taken to the hospital in the morning after complaining of chest pains, according to Newark Police.

Newark Police: Prisoner Escapes From UMDNJ Hospital

Shabazz, 46, was assigned a room and placed under guard, police said.

Later in the afternoon, when doctors and officers entered the room, Shabazz wasn't there.

"Nobody knew what was going on. Everybody was very confused about what was going on. They had officers in there, they wouldn't let anybody move," Eliot told 1010 WINS' Rebecca Granet.

Shabazz had been arrested for robbery, burglary and resisting arrest, according to authorities.

A manhunt for Shabazz is currently ongoing.

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