Suspect who escaped custody surrenders

HOLLYWOOD, Fla. (WSVN) -- A man wanted for escaping police custody has surrendered to police.

According to Hollywood Police, Mark Vega walked in the front door of their police headquarters to surrender, at around 5 p.m. Tuesday. Police said two detectives had spotted the suspect in the neighborhood just east of police headquarters as they returned to the police department. When the suspect saw that he was spotted, he gave up, police said.

Police had first arrested Vega, about two hours earlier, in the parking lot outside the Pediatric Associates doctor's office, located at 4500 Sheridan St., in relation to a domestic violence case. Somehow, he managed to pry open the rear door of the police cruiser and ran.

Police set up a perimeter on the 4500 block of Sheridan Street and a command post nearby. Hollywood Hills and Sheridan Hills Elementary were both placed on lockdown while the police search continued. That lockdown has since been lifted.

Police searched house-to-house in the Hollywood Hills with K-9 units. A Broward Sheriff's Office helicopter even assisted by scanning the area from above. Ultimately, the suspect surrendered to police. He now faces escape charges as well as false imprisonment and aggravated battery charges.

Nearby residents were put on high alert. "There is so many crazy people out here, what's going on?" said resident Charles Arena.

According to police, Vega held a woman against her will for two to three days, beating and abusing her during that time. On Tuesday, she made up a story that her baby needed to go to the doctor, so he drove her to the doctor's office. While there, she used a disconnected cellphone to call 911 and ask for help. Police responded to the doctor's office and took Vega into custody.

The victim is now hospitalized. Police have not identified her.

Vegas is facing domestic battery and escape charges. He is still being questioned by police.

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