BROWNSTOWN, Ind. – UPDATE: Jackson County Sheriff Rick Meyer said that the inmate who escaped from the Jackson County Jail on Friday evening was recaptured Saturday night, brought back to Brownstown, and is again behind bars. Sheriff Meyer said his department followed up on all the tips and leads that came in and he appreciates all the help from the public. He said more information will be released soon.
Original story: Authorities at the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office say that inmate Daniel A. Coomer, 39, of Clarksville, escaped from the Jackson County Jail just after 8:30 p.m. on Friday.
Prior to the escape, a Jail Officer had taken Coomer and other inmates from the holding cell area to the outdoor recreation area. The outdoor recreation area is still within the walls of the jail with a fence over top for a roof.
While in the outdoor recreation area Coomer found an unlocked door that leads to the outside. It is unknown why the door was unlocked but that is being investigated by the sheriff, Jackson County detectives, and the jail commander.
The escape was discovered by the jail staff around 9:10 p.m. when the prisoners were moved back from the recreation area to the holding cell. Jail video surveillance shows Coomer leaving the facility at 8:38 pm.
Around 11:00 p.m., the Sheriff’s Department received a call from an individual who arrived home and discovered his residence had been broken into. The address of the house is in the 1100 block South of County Road 50W. It is possible Coomer broke in and stole clothing from this residence to change from his jumpsuit.
K-9 units from the Seymour Police Department, the Columbus Police Department, Jennings County Sheriff’s Office, and the Washington County Sheriff’s Office responded to assist. The Brownstown Police Department, Indiana State Police, and the Medora Police Department also helped set up a perimeter for a K-9 track. The police dogs tracked for over three hours with several officers patrolling nearby areas. Law enforcement continued to search for Coomer overnight.
At 7:50 a.m. on Saturday, the Sheriff’s Department received a stolen vehicle report from the 3400 block South of County Road 300E. It is suspected that Coomer could be in possession of that stolen vehicle, identified as a red 1993 Chevrolet C-15 pickup truck with an Indiana license plate number of SXQ132.
While incarcerated, Coomer was being held on preliminary charges of impersonation of a public servant, possession of methamphetamine, possession of paraphernalia, auto theft, OWI, OWI endangerment, and a Floyd County Circuit Court warrant.
