Escapee caught in Sudan

Staff report

A Roosevelt County inmate on work detail at the Roosevelt County Fairgrounds stole a county vehicle on Wednesday and made it all the way to Sudan, Texas, before being captured, according to Portales Police Chief Pat Gallegos.

Gallegos said he has few details about the incident as it happened on county property and it does not fall in the city’s jurisdiction.

Roosevelt County Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Malin Parker said Wednesday night he could not confirm or deny that an incident took place.

Roosevelt County Manager Charlene Webb declined to comment but said a press release would be issued about the incident; however, she did not know when.

Gallegos said the incident involved a vehicle chase and he believes the inmate attacked a county employee in order to gain access to that vehicle.

Gallegos added he was contacted by Muleshoe police, telling him they began a pursuit of a suspect related to the incident.

Roosevelt County Detention Center Administrator David Casanova was not immediately available for comment Wednesday night.

It’s been almost a year since the last time a Roosevelt County inmate has escaped. Last year there were two jail breaks with inmates using almost the same techniques to break through the jail’s roof. A total of five Roosevelt County inmates escaped in 2013.

The behavior prompted county officials to strengthen the jail’s security.