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Man escapes custody in Cumberland County; found in mobile home

A Cumberland County man arrested for first-degree burglary last week escaped from his room at Cape Fear Valley Medical Center Saturday night, officials with the sheriff's department said.

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Patrick Earl Gaston
FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. — A Cumberland County man arrested for first-degree burglary last week escaped from his room at Cape Fear Valley Medical Center Saturday night, officials with the sheriff's department said.

According to deputies, Patrick Earl Gaston, 27, escaped a Cumberland County detention officer who was guarding his room around 6 p.m. Saturday. He was found several hours later hiding in a closet in an abandoned mobile home in Harnett County, authorities said. 

Gaston, of 6001 Murphy Road in Stedman, was taken to the hospital last week following his arrest after he claimed to have swallowed an unknown amount of cocaine and began vomiting. 

Authorities said Gaston was returned to Cape Fear Valley Medical Center early Sunday and will remain under strict supervision. 

In 2009, Gaston fought sheriff's deputies, bit an ambulance worker's thumb and damaged a hotel room and county vehicles after being arrested for larceny and possession of stolen goods.

In the previous incident, Gaston was also taken to Cape Fear Valley Medical Center after claiming to have swallowed cocaine.

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