Two Virginia inmates who escaped their jail cells Monday night by digging a hole through the cell wall using “primitive-made” tools were recaptured early the next morning at a local IHOP diner.
John M. Garza, 37, and Arley V. Nemo, 43, were placed back in custody by Newport News Jail Annex authorities within hours after citizens spotted the two inmates dining at the IHOP in Hampton, Virginia, about 10 miles from the facility during the midnight hours.
“I’m thankful for the citizens who observed Garza and Nemo at the IHOP and notified law enforcement,” Sheriff Gabe Morgan said in a news release. “It reinforces what we always say ‘see something, say something.'”
Around 7:00 p.m. on Monday, Garza and Nemo were first reported missing from their jail cells during a routine head count. According to a preliminary investigation from the sheriff’s office, the two inmates escaped after digging through the brick wall with objects made from a toothbrush and a metal object, untying rebars between construction designs. A photograph released by authorities of the oval-shaped hole allegedly made by the inmates showed a space large enough to crawl through.
Courtesy: Newport News Sheriff’s Office
Once the inmates were outside their cells, authorities said Garza and Nemo scaled the jail’s containment wall.
“Due to the fact that this weakness presents itself throughout the facility, and until all weaknesses are identified and secured, we will not discuss the situation further for security reasons,” authorities said.
The sheriff’s office said ongoing criminal and internal investigations are underway to “minimize the chances of such an event happening again.”
Garza, a Hampton resident, had been booked on several charges, including contempt of court, probation violations, and failure to appear.
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Nemo, a Gloucester resident, was in custody based on charges of credit card fraud and larceny, forgery, possession of burglary tools, grand larceny, contempt of court, and probation violation.
The sheriff’s office said charges related to the escape are pending for both inmates.