Authorities said that two Virginia prisoners were discovered at an IHOP restaurant by their escapees who dug a hole using tools made of a toothbrush and a metallic object.
John M. Garza (37), and Arley V. Nemo (43), were re-arrested Tuesday morning after they broke out of the Newport News Jail Annex.
Two inmates escaped the Newport News Jail Annex through a hole they dug at the complex in Newport News, Va.
Staff at the Jail discovered Garza, and Nemo missing from their cells during a routine head count Monday around 7:15 PM. According to a news release, authorities believe that the two men discovered a weakness in the wall’s construction and made primitive-made tools out of a toothbrush and a metal object to escape.
They were able to access the untied rebars that ran between the walls with these tools. They used the rebar to make their escape after they had gained access to it. Garza and Nemo escaped the area once they were outside, but not inside the containment wall,” the agency stated.
Police were able to track Garza and Nemo using tips from citizens, according to the sheriff’s offices. They were located at a Hampton IHOP, Mercury Boulevard, seven miles from the jail. A spokesperson for Hampton police said that officers from the Hampton Police Department arrived at the restaurant around 3:00 a.m. on Tuesday to arrest them.
Sheriff Gabe Morgan thanked everyone for their help.
He said, “I extend my thanks to the Newport News Police Department and the Hampton Police Department for their assistance with our attempt to capture these inmates.” “I’m also thankful to the citizens who observed Garza, Nemo and the IHOP and reported it to law enforcement. This reinforces the old saying, “See something, Say Something.”
Garza was held on multiple charges, including contempt of Court, probation violations, failure to appear, and other offenses. Nemo was held on multiple charges, including credit card fraud and credit card larceny.
According to the sheriff’s office, charges related to their escape are currently pending. As part of its efforts to stop such escapes from occurring again, the sheriff’s department is conducting an internal and criminal investigation.
