New Details in Webb County Jail Escapee
By
KGNS News
Story Created:
Feb 7, 2012 at 11:28 PM CDT
Story Updated:
Feb 8, 2012
The question still remains how a young man who was only in jail for five days was able to breakout of the Webb County jail.
We're learning Joel Jaime Garcia was not behind bars when he made his escape.
Pete Arredondo, Assistant Chief Webb County Sheriff's office: "He was in an interview room, basically brought down for some of his procedural work and while he was brought down he decided to take the opportunity and he did so."
Garcia escaped around 6:30 p.m. Monday evening through a bottom floor window in a janitor's closet.
According to Police Investigator Joe Baeza, his escape appeared to be for drug reasons.
Inv. Joe Baeza, Laredo Police Department:
"But the young man obviously has an issue with drugs in his life and basically that is his primary concern at this point, and sure enough. To my overall understanding was he was trying to get his fix.”
The Assistant Chief for the Webb County Sheriff's office, Pete Arredondo, says security will improve at the jail, but ultimately the county needs a new facility:
"Obviously, this jail, we've been trying to get a new one for a while...something we've been working on for a while. It's not built, probably as best as it should be for security purposes. We have plans to better that once we get an opportunity to build a new jail."
Garcia was originally arrested on February 1st when he was caught stealing a large flat-screen TV out of an apartment in the 200-block of Reynolds.
The breakout is still under investigation and Garcia is back in the Webb County jail.
Earlier today we reported that the arresting officer was from the Laredo Police Department; that information was given to us from LPD.
It was actually a Webb County sheriff's deputy working as part of a group effort that made the arrest.
Sheriff Martin Cuellar says that the quick arrest came because of multiple agencies working together: the sheriff's department, the US marshals, Texas rangers and Laredo PD.
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Anonymous said on Wednesday, Feb 8 at 2:37 PM
So, no one thought that an open window in a jail was a security breach and because of that, we need a new jail? LMFAO!
81065331sorry but this is said on Wednesday, Feb 8 at 5:39 PM
Just another reason Sara hated it here!
81076107Victor Salinas said on Thursday, Feb 9 at 4:11 AM
"OBVIOUSLY, YOU NEED TO BETTER TRAIN YOUR GUARDS" its as simple as that....
81096777santos said on Thursday, Feb 9 at 7:58 AM
like I say "no mas en Laredo" los prisoneros corren la prison
81100439.. said on Thursday, Feb 9 at 10:21 AM
More ineptitude from the Cuellar-Kennedy family as they call themselves.
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