WCAX.COM Local Vermont News, Weather and Sports-Inmate Conceals Escape Plot with Toothpaste
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Unity, New Hampshire - November 19, 2009
Construction is continuing on a new multi-million dollar expansion project at the Sullivan County Jail. However authorities say the renovation is partially to blame for a prison break that happened early Thursday morning.
Jail officials say Robert Hale, 45, used a piece of metal to carve out a hole in the ceiling of his jail cell. They say Hale worked at the hole over a period of time while in custody and concealed it using toothpaste.
"He proceeded through the sheet rock ceiling, gained egress into a new area of the jail that just got completed construction and upon getting into that area, found his way out through a window," explained Ross Cunningham, the superintendent of the Sullivan County Jail.
Hale was awaiting trial for armed robbery. Police say once he's caught escape charges are likely.
Hale is a white male, about 6' tall, and he weighs around 160 pounds. He was last seen wearing an orange prison jumpsuit.
State police used dogs to search for Hale Thursday morning but came up empty.
"We have two different K-9 searches executed this morning both lead to relatively close to the same area and they came to a dead end. The trail ended," N.H. State Police Lt. Jerome Maslan said. "We assume at that point he may have gotten picked up by a vehicle but we are not sure."
Hale used to live in the Claremont area, less than 10 miles from the jail. Authorities say his family has been contacted but are NOT saying if they are cooperating with the search. Area residents we spoke with do not seem worried about the escape, even though authorities admit it is the third escape in six years.
"I'm not particularly concerned," said Michael Shklar of Lempster. "Nobody has yet built a jail that cannot be escaped from and usually it is a very isolated incident."
At this point law enforcement officials do not believe Hale is dangerous. However, they say if anyone sees him, not to approach him, rather contact authorities immediately.
Adam Sullivan - WCAX News
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