Timothy Chappelle Escaping Inmate Van (TikTok Screengrab) A Texas inmate is back in custody after escaping from a jail transport van on January 3.
A Texas inmate is back in custody after escaping from a jail transport van on January 3.
A video captured by a TikTok user shows the inmate making a run for it, but his freedom didn’t last for long.
Investigators say Timothy Chappelle escaped by kicking out the van’s window before breaking into nearby homes.
“When the deputy stopped at the red light, the inmate kicked out the security portion of the window as well as the window, and jumped out the window, and ran,” said Smith County Sheriff Larry Smith said during a media briefing.
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Videos of the man escaping were posted to social media and went viral.
Chappelle, complete in an orange jail jumpsuit with his hands cuffed in front of him, was caught on video running through a parking lot and jumping a fence as he fled on foot from Smith County sheriff’s deputies.
A deputy, trailing behind the running inmate, appeared to stop the pursuit when he hit the fence.
Prior to the great escape, Chappelle was charged with criminal mischief. He now faces new charges, including escape and burglary.
“Remainder of his time at Smith County will be in a lockdown cell,” Sheriff Smith.
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