Sheriff still searching for escapee
Published 12:00 am Friday, October 4, 2002
Shelby County law enforcement officials are still searching for an inmate who walked away from a work detail at the Shelby County Exhibition Center in Columbiana last Wednesday.
According to the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office, 19-year-old Oscar Quintana Garcia of Pelham walked away from the detail at 12:45 p.m. on Sept. 25, while taking trash to a dumpster outside the center.
It was reported that Garcia had been sentenced by the Pelham Municipal Court to serve 91 days in the county jail on convictions of driving under the influence, no proof of insurance and false information or identification.
Sheriff’s Department officials also reported that Garcia may have escaped in a green 1994 Dodge Dakota pickup truck that had been parked near the exhibition center.
Columbiana Police Chief Michael Lann said the stolen vehicle, owned by a Shelby man, was recovered in Pelham by the Pelham Police the following day.
Lann said an orange jumpsuit was found in the back of the truck &uot;which was most likely worn by the escapee, who was last seen in the area where the vehicle was parked.&uot;
He said the vehicle was turned over to Columbiana Police and released to the owner.
Sheriff James Jones said,
&uot;This is the first time in 12 years we have had a county inmate escape from a work crew.
We have notified all the agencies in the surrounding area of Garcia’s escape. At this time, we are actively looking for him …&uot;
Sheriff’s officials report that warrants charging Garcia with second degree escape have been issued.
Anyone who sees Garcia or has knowledge of his whereabouts should call the Shelby County Sheriff’s Department immediately at 669-4181