Us
Print
E-mail
Rate
Officials search for escaped CCI inmate
By TONY BRITT
tbritt@lakecityreporter.com
The Department of Corrections has intensified its search for inmate William Steele by enlisting the aide of federal authorities.
“An extensive manhunt is underway involving federal marshals, Department of Corrections personnel and local and state law enforcement,” Department of Corrections spokesperson Jo Ellyn Rackless said. “Anyone with information is urged to call local law enforcement agencies.”
Steele, 36, walked away from Columbia Correctional Institution and Work Camp Tuesday while he was working on a mowing detail.
Rackless said authorities believe the escape was planned.
“When he escaped yesterday around 1 p.m., we believe it was planned and someone picked him up,” she said.
Authorities are also searching for Kimberly Reigner, who was on Steele’s visitor list. The two may be driving a 2004, silver Jeep with Florida license plate W215JG.
Rackless would not divulge any information regarding the areas authorities were searching as they attempted to apprehend Steele.
However, she also said DOC officials are investigating the circumstances surrounding the escape.
Steele has been housed in the Columbia Correctional Institute and Work Camp since November 2007. He was working on an inmate work camp mowing crew which is allowed to go outside the fence to work when he escaped.
Steele is a minimum custody inmate and is serving a four-year sentence for
charges from Bradford and St. Johns counties for burglary, grand theft and fleeing and eluding. He has worked on a prison work detail since November 2007.
Steele is described as a white male, 5 feet, 7 inches tall, 176 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes.
“An extensive manhunt is underway involving federal marshals, Department of Corrections personnel and local and state law enforcement,” Department of Corrections spokesperson Jo Ellyn Rackless said. “Anyone with information is urged to call local law enforcement agencies.”
Steele, 36, walked away from Columbia Correctional Institution and Work Camp Tuesday while he was working on a mowing detail.
Rackless said authorities believe the escape was planned.
“When he escaped yesterday around 1 p.m., we believe it was planned and someone picked him up,” she said.
Authorities are also searching for Kimberly Reigner, who was on Steele’s visitor list. The two may be driving a 2004, silver Jeep with Florida license plate W215JG.
Rackless would not divulge any information regarding the areas authorities were searching as they attempted to apprehend Steele.
However, she also said DOC officials are investigating the circumstances surrounding the escape.
Steele has been housed in the Columbia Correctional Institute and Work Camp since November 2007. He was working on an inmate work camp mowing crew which is allowed to go outside the fence to work when he escaped.
Steele is a minimum custody inmate and is serving a four-year sentence for
charges from Bradford and St. Johns counties for burglary, grand theft and fleeing and eluding. He has worked on a prison work detail since November 2007.
Steele is described as a white male, 5 feet, 7 inches tall, 176 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes.
 |
 |
|
| No links found in robbery shootings | Rating could be lowered to ISO 5 |
