Inmate uses toilet paper cardboard to escape cell

[June 25, 2009]  COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) -- Columbia police have captured an inmate who allegedly escaped from the Howard County jail using a cardboard toilet paper holder. Curtis Jones of New Franklin was captured Wednesday afternoon.

Columbia police officers, who were responding to a tip, went to where Jones was believed to be located, but he had fled on foot. Jones was spotted a short time later and taken into custody.

Jones had escaped early Monday. Authorities allege he used the folded cardboard to jam a door lock to his cell and fled when a jailer went to another area in the building.

Jones was detained on a theft charge on suspicion of stealing anhydrous ammonia, a chemical used to manufacture methamphetamine.

He previously escaped in 1996 from the county's old jail in Fayette by climbing through a hole in the ceiling.

[Associated Press]

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