04-01-2011, 06:20 PM
WHAM
Rochester, N.Y. - In the first successful jail escape in 15 years in Monroe County, two inmates were able to cut a metal bar and slide through a narrow opening only about a foot wide.
According to the Monroe County Sheriff's Office, the two cellmates escaped around 8:45 p.m. Thursday. Somehow they cut and removed a metal bar and then smashed through their second-story window. The subsequent fall measured roughly 20 feet.
The inmates who escaped, Eddie R. Palmer, 35, and Joseph Lee Mitchell, 34, are considered dangerous.
Palmer's description is 5'10" and 235 pounds.
Mitchell's description is 6'2" and 200 pounds.
According to deputies, they didn't have a long head-start. During a Friday afternoon news conference, Major Steve Koster said the two men were only missing for about five or ten minutes before their escape was discovered. There are not enough prison guards to watch each cell at all times, but Koster said the activity did not go unnoticed for very long.
Police began searching for the two on Thursday night. By Friday midday, Rochester Police, New York State Police and U.S. Marshals were seen closely watching an area near East Avenue and Culver Road. But Koster said that investigators had found no new leads at that time.
"We don't yet know how they cut and removed the bar," Koster said. When asked how difficult it would be to cut the bar, Koster responded, "Very, very difficult."
Investigators are trying to determine if the two men had help on the outside, whether it was help getting away from the scene or a place to hide. "We believe that is a possibility," Koster said. "And we will treat them as armed and dangerous fugitives."
How did They Escape?
Court documents say the plan involved $50,000 cash, a cell phone, and a cutting tool.
Authorities interviewed another Monroe County inmate today about what he knew prior to the escape.
The inmate said within the last week, Palmer told him that he expected to be paid $50,000 cash from Mitchell to help Mitchell escape. Palmer also obtained a cell phone and cutting tool to help Mitchell carry out his plan. A search of Mitchell's jail cell uncovered a cell phone charger.
Who are The Escapees?
Palmer’s lawyer, Aaron Sperano, said his client was facing a criminal possession for stolen property charge stemming from allegations in 2010 that Palmer stole an elderly man’s motorized wheelchair and drove it out of Strong Hospital. He was arrested on Elmwood Avenue while allegedly riding in the wheelchair.
Palmer completed a prison sentence of four years and six months--between August '95 and June '99--when he was released from Attica.
He was in the county jail in lieu of $2,500 cash bail.
Court records indicate Mitchell has been in jail since January on a federal charge of narcotics distribution and was being held without bail.
Mjr. Koster could not say why Mitchell was being held in county jail after being arrested in a federal case. "That's not common, but it can happen for a variety of reasons," Koster said.
Police believe the men have family and associates in other states, but there's no evidence that the men have left the Rochester area. "I would not approach either of these two men in any way," Mjr. Koster said. "I would get to a phone and call 911. And if you can get a description of a vehicle or clothing, that would be very helpful, but certainly don't get near these men."
The jail spent the day repairing the broken jail bars and window.
Workers soldered a new bar into place and put up a new pane of glass before 4 p.m.
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Rochester, N.Y. - In the first successful jail escape in 15 years in Monroe County, two inmates were able to cut a metal bar and slide through a narrow opening only about a foot wide.
According to the Monroe County Sheriff's Office, the two cellmates escaped around 8:45 p.m. Thursday. Somehow they cut and removed a metal bar and then smashed through their second-story window. The subsequent fall measured roughly 20 feet.
The inmates who escaped, Eddie R. Palmer, 35, and Joseph Lee Mitchell, 34, are considered dangerous.
Palmer's description is 5'10" and 235 pounds.
Mitchell's description is 6'2" and 200 pounds.
According to deputies, they didn't have a long head-start. During a Friday afternoon news conference, Major Steve Koster said the two men were only missing for about five or ten minutes before their escape was discovered. There are not enough prison guards to watch each cell at all times, but Koster said the activity did not go unnoticed for very long.
Police began searching for the two on Thursday night. By Friday midday, Rochester Police, New York State Police and U.S. Marshals were seen closely watching an area near East Avenue and Culver Road. But Koster said that investigators had found no new leads at that time.
"We don't yet know how they cut and removed the bar," Koster said. When asked how difficult it would be to cut the bar, Koster responded, "Very, very difficult."
Investigators are trying to determine if the two men had help on the outside, whether it was help getting away from the scene or a place to hide. "We believe that is a possibility," Koster said. "And we will treat them as armed and dangerous fugitives."
How did They Escape?
Court documents say the plan involved $50,000 cash, a cell phone, and a cutting tool.
Authorities interviewed another Monroe County inmate today about what he knew prior to the escape.
The inmate said within the last week, Palmer told him that he expected to be paid $50,000 cash from Mitchell to help Mitchell escape. Palmer also obtained a cell phone and cutting tool to help Mitchell carry out his plan. A search of Mitchell's jail cell uncovered a cell phone charger.
Who are The Escapees?
Palmer’s lawyer, Aaron Sperano, said his client was facing a criminal possession for stolen property charge stemming from allegations in 2010 that Palmer stole an elderly man’s motorized wheelchair and drove it out of Strong Hospital. He was arrested on Elmwood Avenue while allegedly riding in the wheelchair.
Palmer completed a prison sentence of four years and six months--between August '95 and June '99--when he was released from Attica.
He was in the county jail in lieu of $2,500 cash bail.
Court records indicate Mitchell has been in jail since January on a federal charge of narcotics distribution and was being held without bail.
Mjr. Koster could not say why Mitchell was being held in county jail after being arrested in a federal case. "That's not common, but it can happen for a variety of reasons," Koster said.
Police believe the men have family and associates in other states, but there's no evidence that the men have left the Rochester area. "I would not approach either of these two men in any way," Mjr. Koster said. "I would get to a phone and call 911. And if you can get a description of a vehicle or clothing, that would be very helpful, but certainly don't get near these men."
The jail spent the day repairing the broken jail bars and window.
Workers soldered a new bar into place and put up a new pane of glass before 4 p.m.