2 Break out of jail and go to IHOP, customers report

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. (AP) – Two inmates at a Virginia prison used primitive tools to punch a hole in the wall of their cell and escape after hours at a nearby IHOP restaurant, a sheriff said.

Authorities discovered the two men, ages 37 and 43, missing from their cells at the Newport News jail during a routine head count Monday evening, according to a statement from the Newport News Sheriff’s Office.

According to a preliminary investigation, the men took advantage of a weakness in the prison’s construction design and used tools made from toothbrushes and metal objects to penetrate the rebar between the walls – which they then used to further their escape, the statement said. After escaping their cell, they removed the prison wall around the prison.

Authorities asked for the public’s help in finding the men, and they were taken into custody at the IHOP in Hampton early Tuesday when other customers called police.

“It reinforces what we always say, see something, say something,” said Sheriff Gabe Morgan.

The Sheriff’s Office said it is investigating to prevent further escapes.

A Hampton man was arrested on charges of contempt of court and probation violation.

The other, a Gloucester resident, was charged with credit card fraud, forgery, grand larceny and probation violation.

Charges are pending in connection with the escape, the sheriff said.