Pantsless inmate escapes from urgent care clinic

LITTLE ROCK, AR – A 23-year-old female inmate escaped from the Sherwood Urgent Care in Lonoke Sunday afternoon.

Alicia Dawn Ballard was taken to the clinic by a Lonoke County deputy after complaining of a medical problem. Once at the clinic, according to the sheriff’s office, her shackles were removed and Ballard took off her pants, slammed the door in the deputy’s face, and ran out of the clinic.

The sheriff’s office says Ballard, a shirt and underwear, ran to a home and asked the resident to use the phone. The resident gave Ballard some clothes and let her use the phone. While the homeowner was calling the authorities, Ballard ran away.

While Ballard was walking along a road, she was picked up by a Good Samaritan who was driving by. The sheriff’s office says Ballard told the driver she was running from the police. The driver took Ballard to the Lonoke Police Station, so Ballard jumped out of the car and ran away, according to the sheriff’s office.

Deputies later found Ballard hiding in some bushes at a nearby home. Ballard was taken back into custody and returned to jail. She was on the loose for about 42 minutes.

Ballard was originally in jail on drug charges. She also has an arrest warrant out of Pulaski County for fleeing, resisting arrest, 2nd degree assault, and theft by receiving. The Lonoke County Sheriff’s Office says Ballard will now face the charge of 2nd degree escape, a felony.