An inmate who escaped from Santa Rita Jail Friday morning while being transported to a hospital was an Oakland man in custody on multiple robbery charges, an Alameda County Sheriff's Office spokesman said.

Anthony Hoskins, 31, was being taken to Highland Hospital in Oakland for a routine medical appointment at the time of the escape, which occurred around 10 a.m., according to sheriff's Sgt. J.D. Nelson.

"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. Police and sheriff's deputies are searching the area and located Hoskins' jail clothes, Nelson said.

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.

Hoskins was unarmed when he left the sheriff's department vehicle, Nelson said.