Escape from…a Virginia jail: Two inmates launched a frantic chase after tunneling their way out of prison using tools made from a toothbrush and a metal object before being arrested at a local IHOP.
- Arley V. Nemo, 43, and John M. Garza, 37, walk out of jail using a toothbrush
- The two Hampton, Virginia inmates were reported missing Monday night.
- A hole was found near their cell hours before they were detained at IHOP.
Two inmates were found at a Virginia IHOP after escaping from prison through a tunnel they dug with tools made from a toothbrush.
Arley V. Nemo, 43, and John M. Garza, 37, were reported missing from the Newport News Jail Annex during a count Monday at 7 p.m.
The preliminary finding showed that inmates found a “design weakness” in the jail’s architecture and used “primitive tools” fashioned from a metal object and a toothbrush to get out, according to the Newport News Sheriff’s Office. .
The two were able to break through the wall and found “unleashed rebar” which they later used to successfully flee.
And there was apparently only one thing on their minds when they made a break: Nemo and Garza were heading straight for the freshly stacked pancakes at a Hampton IHOP, where customers caught up with them. Police arrested the inmates early Tuesday morning.
Arley V. Nemo, 43, and John M. Garza, 37, were reported missing from the Newport News Jail Annex during a count Monday at 7 p.m. Pictured: Arley Nemo
The preliminary finding showed that inmates found a “design weakness” in the jail’s architecture and used “primitively manufactured tools” fashioned from a metal object and a toothbrush to get out. In the photo: Juan Garza
Nemo and Garza have not been formally charged for escaping the facility and officials are working to ensure it never happens again.
“I extend my gratitude to the Newport News Police Department, the Hampton Police Department and the James City County Police Department for their assistance in our attempt to recover these inmates,” said Sheriff Gabe Morgan.
‘Also, I am grateful for the citizens who observed Garza and Nemo at IHOP and notified the police. It reinforces what we always say “see something, say something”.
It’s unclear how long the two have been in prison, but officers said Gaza is a Hampton resident who was arrested for probation violations, contempt of court and failure to appear.
Meanwhile, Nemo, who is from Gloucester, was in prison on various charges including credit card fraud, larceny, forgery, contempt of court, possession of burglary tools, grand theft and violation of probation.
The Newport News Sheriff’s Department was not immediately available for comment.
The two were able to break through the wall and found “unleashed rebar” which they later used to successfully flee. Pictured: The hole in the Newport News Jail Annex
Nemo and Garza then headed to a Hampton IHOP (above) and were reported by customers soon after. Police arrested the inmates early Tuesday morning.
Nemo and Garza have not been formally charged for escaping the facility and officials are working to ensure it never happens again. Pictured: Newport News Jail