The four inmates that escaped from the Ross County Jail last Friday night have been identified and will face further criminal charges.
The four have been identified as James Bick, Jeffrey Adkins, Dustin Cummings and Christopher Varney.
(Above: James Bick)
(Above: Dustin Cummings)
(Above: Jeffrey Adkins)
(Above: Christopher Varney)
According to a release from Ross County Sheriff George Lavender issued on Tuesday, corrections officers at the jail were alerted to the escape at approximately 9:00 p.m. The inmates were found to have escaped from a 2nd floor housing unit at the jail, breaking through a jail wall and then making their way onto the roof of the complex.
A corrections officer in the alley beside the law enforcement complex, conducting a perimeter check, heard activity on the roof and radioed for assistance. The corrections officer observed inmate James Bick climbing the side of the jail and immediately took him into custody. The other three prisoners are reported to have taken off down the alley.
The Chillicothe Police Department arrived on scene to assist in the search for the three remaining escapees. The Ohio State Highway Patrol also sent Troopers to assist in the search effort, and provided a helicopter to search from the air.
Shortly after the escape, inmate Christopher Varney is reported to have turned himself in to corrections officers.
Jeffery Adkins was taken into custody by Chillicothe Police. He was located behind the IHOP in Shawnee Square after jumping into the Scioto River. Dustin Cummings was taken into custody by Chillicothe Police in the area of State Route 772 and Patton Hill Road at 10:10 p.m.
Sheriff Lavender says the investigation so far shows that the four prisoners possibly worked with others to breach the jail wall and make the escape.
The Ohio Bureau of Adult Detention has been contacted to conduct a review of the incident, and the Sheriff says he’s been working closely with the Ross County Board of Commissioners and the Ross County Prosecutor to review the incident.
The four prisoners will now face charges for the escape. The results of the review by the Bureau of Adult Detention will be released once it has been completed.
Sheriff Lavender expresses his gratitude to the Chillicothe Police Department and the State Highway Patrol for their assistance in the quick apprehension of the escapees.