PITTSYLVANIA COUNTY, Va. – UPDATE: Pittsylvania County Sheriff Mike Taylor said Monday morning the circumstances that allowed 38 year-old James Jones to escape from the jail Friday morning are being addressed, but Taylor would not go into detail.
According to Taylor, Jones was a trustee and was helping unload a truck around 6:30 a.m. Friday.
During the process, Jones walked to the side of the truck opposite of the deputy in charge of watching the inmates, meaning Jones was out of sight of the deputy.
Taylor said about a minute passed from the time Jones went out of sight of the deputy and the time the deputy did a head count and realized an inmate was missing.
Taylor added that Jones' trail went cold several times Friday as multiple law enforcement agencies searched for him.
When Jones was finally captured late Saturday night in Tightsqueeze, Taylor said Jones was relieved.
Jones had been on the run the whole time. No one was harboring him.
When asked if the deputy in charge of watching the inmates unload the truck Friday morning would be suspended, Taylor said that is a personnel matter and therefore he could not talk about it.
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UPDATE: The Pittsylvania County Sheriff's Office said an escaped inmate has been arrested.
James Jones was arrested without incident Saturday night, the Sheriff's Office said.
The arrest was made with the direct assistance of a concerned citizen, who saw a suspicious man in her community and notified law enforcement officials, the Sheriff's Office said. Officers responded to the area around the Valero Convenience Market at Tightsqueeze.
The Sheriff's Office said Jones was taken into custody without incident by Pittsylvania County deputies and Chatham police.
Jones is being examined for dehydration and minor injuries suffered during his escape, the Sheriff's Office said. He will be returned to the Pittsylvania County Jail once treated by medical personnel.
The Sheriff's Office said Jones, in addition to his original sentence, will be charged with felony escape.
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UPDATE: The Pittsylvania County Sheriff's Office said escaped inmate James Jones is still at large.
Law enforcement officers responded to a report late Friday night in Chatham. They searched the area between 11 p.m. and 3 a.m., but were unsuccessful.
Saturday around 9 a.m., officers received another report of someone similar to Jones' description, but it was not the inmate.
Authorities said they answered several reports in Chatham from residents calling in about the unusual amount of dogs barking.
The escapee's family members and friends have been interviewed and the search is continuing.
Anyone with information is asked to call 911 or Crimestoppers at 1-800-791-0044 to be eligible for up to a $1000 reward for information leading to the arrest of Jones. People can also email information to sar@pittgov.org.
The Sheriff's Office wants to make the public aware that anyone providing support or assistance to Jones will be held accountable for their actions. Anyone who may have spoken to Jones since his escape is also encouraged to contact the Sheriffs Office, by withholding information you could be held accountable as well.
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Pittsylvania County deputies are searching for an escaped inmate.
The Pittsylvania County Crimestoppers has offered up to a $1,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of James Jones. Callers can call 1-800-791-0044 or email sar@pittgov.org
Jones, 38, escaped the Pittsylvania County Jail around 6:30 a.m. Friday, according to the sheriff's office. He was booked July 11.
Court records show Jones has recently been charged with driving under a revoked or suspended license as well as contempt of court. He has had numerous other offenses over several years, including a third offense of domestic assault and battery, and abduction by force or intimidation. The records also show that he has been a fugitive before.
Also according to court records, Jones was sentenced in 2011 to five years in prison, with three years probation. He was released in 2016 and was supposed to be on probation until 2019.
He was last seen wearing jail issued white clothing.
Anyone with information should call the Pittsylvania County Sheriff's Office at 434-432-7931.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
