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Toronto police find man who escaped police custody at hospital

Toronto police say Andrew Smith was arrested in downtown Toronto Thursday afternoon. Global News

Toronto police have arrested a 36-year-old man facing a weapons charge who they say escaped custody at a downtown hospital on March 15.

Police told Global News that officers were called to a cafe near Spadina Avenue and King Street West at around 5:40 p.m. Thursday after someone spotted Andrew Smith.

Officers previously said Smith fled Mount Sinai Hospital on University Avenue near Gerrard St. W. after receiving medical treatment. 

Const. Jenifferjit Sidhu said at the time the service wasn’t able to comment on how the man was able to escape, but said the circumstances surrounding the incident will be investigated internally.

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“At this time we will not comment on the specifics,” she said. “There is a professional standards review underway and we will look at the officer’s actions and just in addition, the whole process for providing these types of escorts.”

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A couple of months ago, a robbery suspect in police custody at a different Toronto hospital also escaped.

Smith was in custody since March 7, when he was arrested on several charges including possessing a weapon for a dangerous purpose, threatening death, as well as failing to appear in court and failing to comply with a recognizance

With files from Nick Westoll

WATCH: Toronto police looking for man who escaped custody while at Mt. Sinai Hospital. Ashley Molnar reports. (March 15)

Click to play video: 'Toronto police looking for man who escaped custody while at Mt. Sinai Hospital'
Toronto police looking for man who escaped custody while at Mt. Sinai Hospital

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