By PAUL WALSH
Minneapolis Star Tribune
Photo Christopher Allen/IndianaFireTrucks.com |
MINNEAHAHA COUNTY, S.D. — The inmate who slammed a firetruck through two prison gates in southeastern South Dakota in a daring daylight breakout has been caught.
Jesse Oliver, 21, was arrested shortly before midnight Tuesday near Little Rock, Ark., at a rest stop along Interstate Hwy. 40, South Dakota Department of Corrections spokesman Michael Winder said in a news release.
As for the 10,000-pound firetruck, it was found this morning in Council Bluffs, Iowa, Winder said. “It appears that he stole a semi there and took it to Little Rock,” he said.
On Monday, Oliver stole the firetruck and busted through the gates of the Mike Durfee State Prison in Springfield about 1:45 p.m. Monday.
His arrest came at 11:40 p.m. Tuesday, 34 hours after his escape and about 800 miles from the prison.
Oliver was imprisoned on a four-year sentence for second-degree burglary in Minnehaha County.
In South Dakota, first-degree escape carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and $20,000 fine.
Copyright 2008 Minneapolis Star Tribune