Two escaped inmates caught at diner after digging their way to freedom with toothbrushes
Investigators believe the duo exploited a 'construction design weakness' in the jail.
Two inmates at a Virginia jail escaped by digging a hole with tools made from toothbrushes, only to be caught again hours later when they were recognized eating at a local IHOP.
John Garza, 37, and Arley Nemo, 43, were found missing in their cell during the evening head count at the Newport News Jail Annex on Monday.
Garza, a resident of Hampton, Virginia, is being held on charges of contempt of court, probation violations, and failure to appear for a court date, the Newport News Sheriff’s Office said.
Nemo, of Gloucester, Virginia, has a much longer list of charges, including credit card fraud, credit card larceny, forgery, possession of burglary tools, grand larceny, contempt of court, and probation violations.
Around 7.15pm on Monday night, authorities found their cell empty – with a hole in the wall leading out into the jail yard.
A preliminary investigation showed that Garza and Nemo dug the hole using makeshift tools constructed from toothbrushes and a ‘metal object.’ Investigators believe the duo exploited a ‘construction design weakness’ in the facility.
They used the tools to dig far enough into the wall to access untied rebars, which they then used to dig even faster. They then scaled an exterior wall and ran for their freedom.
Their time on the outside was short, however. The duo was recognized the next morning when they went to eat breakfast at a local IHOP (International House of Pancakes) restaurant in Hampton, Virginia.
‘I’m thankful for the citizens who observed Garza and Nemo at the IHOP and notified law enforcement. It reinforces what we always say “see something, say something,”‘ Newport News Sheriff Gabe Morgan said.
A team of engineers and law enforcement officers are currently ‘reviewing and formulating ways to mitigate the aforementioned facility weakness,’ the sheriff’s office said.
They confirmed the construction flaw is present throughout the Newport News Jail Annex, but did not go into further detail due to security concerns.
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