Rock Island County deputies got a little help from an unlikely source when they captured a man who was wanted in Muscatine, Iowa, for escape.
Daniel Rice, 21, was jailed and facing theft, burglary and criminal mischief in Muscatine County, when he was taken to a Muscatine hospital for heart-related issues according to Rock Island County Sheriff's Department Captain Steven VenHuizen.
It was during that hospital visit Monday, October 20, 2014, that Rice allegedly escaped, despite being handcuffed to the bed and wearing only a hospital gown which reportedly came off as he ran away.
Court records showed Rice was charged October 21, 2014 with escape from custody.
Perhaps no one could have predicted the way he would be captured.
Rock Island County deputies were sent to Loud Thunder Forest Preserve in Illinois City, Illinois, to investigate a report from someone saying they were being chased by wild coyotes just after midnight Wednesday morning, October 22. Deputies said Rice was actually the person who made that call.
Rice reportedly gave a false name to police as he told them he used a stick to fend off the animals. Rice said he thought about 30 coyotes were after him, VenHuizen said.
In audio from the call to emergency dispatchers, the caller identifies himself as Zachary Turner and claims he and his sister were chased off Trail 11 by about 20 or 30 coyotes at Loud Thunder.
Scroll down to listen to the 911 call.
The Rock Island County deputies found Rice, and recognized him as a reported escapee. The pacemaker scar on his chest served as further confirmation that they had a wanted man.
Rice was arrested at Loud Thunder, and later transferred from the Rock Island County Jail to the Muscatine County Jail.
Jail records showed Rice was in the Muscatine County Jail as of Wednesday, October 23, held in lieu of $50,000 cash-only bond.
