Man tries to commit suicide, then attempts escape at hospital

LORAIN — Police said an alleged bank robber tried to commit suicide in jail and then escape a treatment center.

Officers found Christopher Metelsky, 23, lying unconscious on the floor of his cell Wednesday morning at the Lorain City Jail. Metelsky had tried hanging himself with a sheet tied to the jail bars, police said.

Metelsky, who was breathing but unconscious, was taken to Mercy Regional Medical Center. According to a police report, Metelsky rolled off his cot while a police officer was outside the door and crawled into another patient’s room.

The officer managed to grab Metelsky, who was later charged with escape in the incident. Police said Metelsky had been a patient at the emergency room a few days prior to his arrest, so he may have known the layout of the rooms.

Metelsky is accused of robbing Lorain National Bank, at 2850 Pearl Ave., on Tuesday. Police said Metelsky did not use a gun in the robbery.

He is facing robbery and tampering with evidence charges.