Watch: Murder Suspect Knows Exactly What He Can Do When Law Enforcement Forces Deputies To Uncuff Him

Oregon murder accused quickly left the courtroom in a wild escape caught on camera.

Edie Villalobos Jr., 28, rushed out of the courtroom shortly after he was unshackled by Washington County sheriff’s deputies on February 28 before jury selection began.

Video of the escape shows Villalobos Jr. running from deputies, running down a hallway and out the door of the Washington County Courthouse in Hillsborough, Oregon. Although the incident took place in February, the sheriff’s office did not release the video until Thursday.

Camera footage of the daring escape revealed a chaotic scene.

Accused of murder shot at the door, which law enforcement unlocked.

The escape attempt could even be described as moderately successful, given that Villalobos Jr. ended up on the loose during a two-hour hunt, according to KSAZ-TV.

@HillsboroPolice and MPs are actively looking for Edie Villalobos. Villalobos was at the Washington County courthouse for trial on numerous charges, including second-degree murder, when he escaped. If you see Villalobos, call 911, don’t go near him. pic.twitter.com/zVRciGS3yQ

— Washington County Sheriff’s Office (OR) (@WCSOoregon) February 27, 2023

The suspect was ultimately apprehended after a local resident called 911 to report that a stranger was trying to break into the apartment.

“The deputies entered the apartment and found that Villalobos was hiding in a closet under a blanket,” the agency said.

#VIOLATION: @WCSOoregon arrested Edie Villalobos. Now he is in custody. @fox12oregon pic.twitter.com/7QSoZIRMlZ

— Connor McCarthy (@conr_mccarthy) February 27, 2023

Some viewers were puzzled that Villalobos Jr. was not properly restrained to prevent the escape.

According to KSAZ, the Washington County Sheriff’s Office pointed to an Oregon law that requires defendants to be released from shackles in courtrooms during trial.

“In accordance with Oregon law, MPs removed all restrictions on Villalobos during the jury selection process,” the agency said.

“At about 11 a.m., the court took a break and Villalobos was again placed under restrictions. When the break ended, MPs once again lifted all restrictions on Villalobos in accordance with Oregon law.”

Villalobos Jr. faces two new charges of first-degree burglary and a second-degree escape charge in connection with his actions at the courthouse. Villalobos Jr. was charged with murder and several other criminal offenses before attempting to escape.

The start of the fugitive’s trial was delayed due to the incident. He is due to appear in court on March 21.

This article originally appeared in The Western Journal.

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