Police: Escaped Inmate Captured After Carjacking, Chase
Thursday, April 10, 2008 – updated: 8:39 pm EDT April 10, 2008
DAYTON, Ohio -- A Montgomery County Jail inmate broke free on Thursday and went on an hour-long crime spree.It all began on Webster Street when an inmate on a work detail jumped a fence, carjacked an innocent bystander and then led officers on a pursuit through two counties before crashing in Fairborn.Authorities said Shawn Fleming, 34, started his day at the Montgomery County Jail before going on a work detail in Vandalia. He is accused of stealing a car and leading officers on a chase.More Info: Shawn Fleming's Jail Profile | Mont. Co. Jail Programs
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Kathryn Burcham Reports On Work Detail ProgramInvestigators said the only person who was injured during the chase was the Fleming who crashed the vehicle in Fairborn.Fleming was in jail on charges of theft, obstructing official business, passing bad checks and possession of cocaine. Now, he is facing more charges that may include carjacking.Deputy Chief Plummer said, “He just ran away from the deputy, removing some of his orange and white jail clothing and fled on foot.”Investigators said Fleming was fenced in, picking up trash at the Transfer Center on Webster Street when he escaped.Officers said Fleming crossed the street and took a woman’s car on Poe Avenue. Authorities said Fleming then led officers on a pursuit through Huber Heights and eventually ending in Fairborn.Officer Mark Bruns of Huber Heights Police said speeds during the chase reached speeds of 80 to 90 mph.Fleming eventually crashed into a telephone pole, and after a trip to the hospital, he is back behind bars.Fleming was taking part in a prisoner work program, which is an outside work detail that has been part of life at the Montgomery County Jail since 1993.However, in light of Fleming’s escape attempt, some wonder if the program gives prisoners too much freedom.After Thursday’s escape attempt, the sheriff’s office is defending the program, saying with all that work, the pros outweigh the cons.Fleming was working with five other prisoners, picking up trash around the Solid Waste District building.Police said that work details typically have one deputy guarding six inmates. A relatively safe practice, they said since all of the prisoners allowed outside are non-violent offenders, like Fleming.Deputies said in the 15 year history, they have only had two other prisoners attempt to make a break for it.And, with a reported 330,000 hours of work that the inmates logged last year, that makes pretty good odds.In a statement Thursday, the sheriff’s office said the prisoner work program has saved taxpayers more than $3 million.
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