When trying to recall his memories, Darien remembered Sepp Dietrick's escape from his cell, an event he didn't witness.
Whenever Darien has transported anyone back to his time, any object they are holding has transferred with them. For example Randall Quinn with the Electa in Photo Finish (1993). When he sent Albert Grace back, the gun he was carrying remained behind.
Ellen would have been safer had she ran into Darien's apartment, seeing as how she was standing right in front of his door, rather than running away from it.