CARY, N.C. — Three of four inmates escaped from an Ohio county jail, including one spotted in Westmoreland County on Sunday, were caught in North Carolina after slightly more than a day on the run, authorities said.
Ohio Fugitives Caught in #CaryNC, One Remains at Large. Pls Be On the Lookout (BOLO), call 911 if you believe you've seen Lawrence Lee III. https://t.co/E8u8r5S6t3 pic.twitter.com/JzB5NF7xel
— Town of Cary (@TownofCary) September 30, 2019
The three men who escaped from the Gallia County jail early Sunday were “captured without incident” at around 2 a.m. Monday, a release from Cary police said. Christopher Clemente, 24, Brynn Martin, 40 and Troy McDaniel Jr., 30, are awaiting extradition to Ohio.
Clemente was spotted at Greensburg Mall about 11 a.m. Sunday, according to state police. He later visited the Sheetz convenience store off Route 22 in New Alexandria at 7:15 p.m., authorities said on Twitter. Surveillance footage appears to show Clemente in the store wearing a black T-shirt, blue pants, white socks and black sandals, according to photos in the post.
*Update Christopher Clemente
— Troop A Public Information Officers (@PSPTroopAPIO) September 29, 2019
He was observed @ the Westmoreland Mall at 11. The mall has been searched and cleared. We have no reason the believe he is in that area. He was also observed at the Sheetz @ Rte 22/981 @ 0715. See photos. Operating a 2019 grey charger OH plate HVP8419 pic.twitter.com/E4hQZTTF9F
The mall was closed for a time Sunday while police searched for Clemente in the mall. Officials at Greensburg Salem School District also announced a two-hour delay Monday morning “as the police continue their search for the fugitive.”
There will be a 2 hour delay Monday September 30
— Greensburg Salem School District (@GSSDGoldenLions) September 30, 2019
The fourth man, Lawrence R. Lee III, 29, is believed to have accompanied the other three, but fled from authorities at the time of the arrests, a release from Gallia County Sheriff Matt Champlin said. Cary police said Lee is “not believed to be a danger” but warned the public not to approach him.
Cary police said the North Carolina Highway Patrol had alerted the department that the men were in the area, around 370 miles (595 kilometers) southeast of Gallipolis, the city where the jail is located. The two agencies, along with Raleigh police and the Wake County Sheriff’s Office, remained onsite for two hours after the arrests to “conduct a thorough search,” police said.
Champlin has said authorities believe the escaped inmates had help from at least one person outside the jail. The four inmates overpowered the two officers with a homemade weapon, forced open a secure door, entered the jail’s administrative wing and stole keys to a corrections officer’s vehicle and drove it about a block away, where another vehicle awaited them, Champlin said.
Clemente was being held for an indictment of two felony counts of complicity to trafficking drugs. Martin, who Champlin said escaped for the second time from the jail, is charged with breaking and entering, receiving stolen property, two counts of failure to appear, and escape — all felonies. McDaniel was being held for failure to appear from Gallia County Juvenile Court and Lee is charged with felony identity fraud and two misdemeanors: obstructing official business and assault.
First Published: September 30, 2019, 10:00 a.m.
