Two inmates sparked a manhunt after digging a tunnel out of the prison using a toothbrush
The shortstack redemption! Two inmates spark a frenetic manhunt after digging a tunnel with a toothbrush – before being captured at IHOP
- Arley V. Nemo, 43, and John M. Garza, 37, escaped prison with a toothbrush
- The two inmates in Hampton, Virginia were reported missing Monday night
- Hours before they were held in IHOP, a hole was found near their prison cell
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Two inmates were found at an IHOP in Virginia after escaping prison through a tunnel they dug up using tools made from a toothbrush.
Arley V. Nemo, 43, and John M. Garza, 37, were reported missing at the Newport News Jail Annex during a count on Monday at 7 p.m.
The preliminary finding showed that the inmates found a “design weakness” in the prison’s architecture and used “primitively made tools” made from a metal object and a toothbrush to make their way out, according to the Newport News Sheriff’s Office. Office.
The two managed to make their way through the wall and found ‘unbound rebars’ which they later used to successfully flee.
And there was seemingly only one thing on their mind when they took a break – as Nemo and Garza headed straight for freshly stacked pancakes at a Hampton IHOP, only to get busted by customers. Police arrested the detainees early Tuesday morning.
The two managed to make their way through the wall and found ‘unbound rebars’ which they later used to successfully flee. Pictured: the hole in the Newport News Jail Annex
Arley V. Nemo, 43, and John M. Garza, 37, were reported missing at the Newport News Jail Annex during a count on Monday at 7 p.m. In the photo: Arley Nemo
The preliminary finding showed that the inmates found a “design weakness” in the prison’s architecture and used “primitively made tools” made from a metal object and a toothbrush to make their way out. In the photo: John Garza
Nemo and Garza have not been formally charged with escaping the facility, and officials are working to make sure that never happens again.
“I express my gratitude to the Newport News Police Department, the Hampton Police Department and the James City County Police Department for their assistance in our effort to recapture these prisoners,” said Sheriff Gabe Morgan.
In addition, I am grateful to the citizens who observed Garza and Nemo at the IHOP and alerted the police. It reinforces what we always say ‘see something, say something’.
It’s unclear how long the two have been in jail, but officers said Gaza is a Hampton resident who was arrested for violating his probation, contempt of court and failure to appear.
Meanwhile, Nemo, who hails from Gloucester, was in jail on various charges such as credit card fraud, robbery, forgery, contempt of court, possession of burglary tools, grand larceny and breach of probation.
The Newport News sheriff’s department was not immediately available for comment.
Nemo and Garza then made their way to a Hampton IHOP (above) and were reported by customers shortly after. Police arrested the detainees early Tuesday morning
Nemo and Garza have not been formally charged with escaping the facility, and officials are working to make sure that never happens again. Pictured: Newport News Prison