Stolen vehicle possibly connected to escaped Fayette Co. inmates
FAYETTE COUNTY, Ind. (WISH) – The manhunt continues for two inmates who escaped out of the Fayette County Jail Friday night. Surveillance cameras caught the two men jumping to the ground and running away.
The Fayette County Sheriff’s Department said a stolen vehicle may be connected to the escaped inmates. Deputies said a former employer of 27-year-old Michael Roberts reported his 2015 White Ford F350 Dual Wheel Utility Truck went missing Saturday.
The employer said Roberts has stolen from him in the past.
The truck reportedly has “Jobe Brothers” in black lettering on both doors with an Indiana truck plate with the plate number SZP509.
The video shows them leaving around 11:30 p.m., but authorities didn’t notice them missing until two hours later, when they were doing a head count before bed.
One at a time, the first inmate jumps 18 feet to the ground, not stopping or waiting on the other, just running for his life. About 25 seconds later, the video shows the other doing the exact same thing.
“Every night they will do a head count. They went in and realized they were missing two inmates who were not in their assigned cells,” said Sheriff Joey Laughlin of Fayette County.
Authorities identified the two as 39-year old Chadwick Heath and 27-year old Michael Roberts. They believe the two were working together and were able to remove a two feet by two feet portion of the wall made of concrete blocks and brick.
“They made their way through an exterior wall and had removed brick there and also removed brick on the exterior wall. It’s something they had probably been working on for some time,” said Laughlin.
Authorities found a piece of metal left behind, which they believe could’be been used to cut through the wall. But, their resourcefulness didn’t stop there. Laughlin believes they hid their work using toothpaste.
“Sometimes they will use toothpaste and put it around the brick and make it look like something’s been patched,” he said.
According to Laughlin, both were facing more than 10 years and he believes that was their motivation for escaping. He also blames, in part, a 27 year old, aging facility.
“This was a structural malfunction. It wasn’t neglect on any officers part. Rounds were done,” he said.
Heath is charged with four counts of dealing in a narcotic drug, and one count each for maintaining a common nuisance and visiting a common nuisance.
Roberts has been charged with two counts of theft and one for burglary.
Laughlin says neither were in jail for violent crimes. However, since they’re now facing more time, he believes they could be dangerous. Authorities believe they could still be in the Fayette County area. If you happen to spot them, do not approach them. Instead, call 911.
The Fayette County Sheriff’s Department is now offering a $1,000 reward for any information leading to the capture of the two inmates.
Anyone with information on Heath and Roberts whereabouts are asked to contact the Fayette County Sheriff’s Department at 765-825-1110.
