An inmate from Santa Rita Jail who was being transported to Highland Hospital in Oakland this morning has escaped, according to an Alameda County Sheriff's Office spokesman.

Anthony Hoskins, 31, a black male about 6 feet tall and an Oakland resident, escaped custody around 10:40 a.m. in Oakland, sheriff's Sgt. J.D. Nelson said.

"During his transport, we believe he manipulated his leg irons and his waist and hand restraints and as soon as he got to the hospital, he took off running," Nelson said.

Hoskins was last seen in the neighborhood south of the hospital.

"We're looking in yards for him right now," Nelson said late this morning. "We don't even know what he's wearing. We found his jail clothes."

There is currently no indication that any accomplice assisted Hoskins in the escape, and it is unclear whether it was planned in advance, Nelson said. He said Hoskins was unarmed when he left the sheriff's department vehicle.

Hoskins was in custody on multiple robbery charges.

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