| January 11, 2007 |
| |
| UPDATE: Three Inmates Attack
Jailers and Escape |
| ALL THREE CAPTURED |
| |
Bryant Burgess |
Larry Harbison |
Matthew Pierce |
|
| On January 10, 2007 at
approximately 11:30 pm, Deputies Jonathon Earp and Dean Miller were working in
the downtown jail and preparing the inmates for "lights out." Shortly after
lights out, around 11:38 pm, it was reported that one of the three above
inmates stopped Deputy Miller, as he was making his rounds, to ask him a
question. |
| |
| According to Sgt. Robert
Beall with the Sheriff's Office, Miller was addressing the inmate's question,
and was attacked by all three inmates. The suspects were able to quickly
over-power Deputy Miller. They beat him with their fists, Deputy Miller's ASP
baton and pepper spray, which were taken from him shortly after the initial
attack. The inmates reportedly then removed Millers' keys. This attack took
place while Deputy Earp was unaware and maintaining the control room of the
downtown jail. |
| |
| Investigators said that
after the three inmates attacked Deputy Miller, they made their way to the
front of the facility. Using the keys, they were able to gain access to the
front booking area of the facility. At this location Deputy Earp was attacked
by the three inmates using the same weapons. |
| |
| Both deputies were
beaten almost unconscious and left with serious injuries. The inmates,
according to investigators with the Sheriff's Office, handcuffed the deputies
to a jail cell located near the back of the facility, then made their escape
out the front door. |
| |
| The inmates then stole
Deputy Miller's vehicle and fled the area. Trustee inmates inside the jail were
able to help the wounded deputies and notified law enforcement. |
| |
| At approximately 11:50
pm, the Burke County Sheriff's Office was notified of the escape and a full
investigation was started. |
| |
| Investigators advised
that both deputies were transported to Grace Hospital and treated for their
injuries. Both received severe lacerations that required several stitches and
staples. |
| |
| Investigators secured
the jail and accounted for every inmate. The NC State Bureau of Investigation
was called to assist with processing the crime scene. Burke County
investigators organized a local and statewide search for the escaped
inmates. |
| |
| At approximately 6:30
am, the three suspects shown above were captured in Concord, NC while still
traveling in the stolen vehicle. All three suspects were re-arrested without
incident and transported back to Burke County. |
| |
| All three suspects were
each charged with one count of escape, two counts of felony assault on a
government official with a deadly weapon, two counts of first degree
kidnapping, one count of larceny of a motor vehicle, and one count of robbery
with a dangerous weapon. According to investigators, additional charges are
possible, pending a complete investigation of the incident. |
| |
| The suspects are being
held at the Burke County Jail under a $300,000 secured bond. Bryant Burgess
received an additional $200,000 secure bond for failing to appear in a
scheduled Superior Court case on the morning of January 11, 2007. First
appearance for all three suspects is scheduled for January 12, 2007. |
| |
| ************************************************************** |
| |
| Other Recent Press
Releases: |
| |
|
|
| |
| To view previous press releases, visit
our archives
file |
