Published Friday, September 6, 2002
he got away
Herald Staff Writer
A Farrell man police say escaped from a halfway house and almost ran over a patrolman before he was arrested earlier this week escaped Sharon police custody Thursday.
Police spent Thursday afternoon looking for Maurice Lamont Atwood, 34, of 1110 Hamilton Ave., who escaped after police took him from Mercer County Jail to a preliminary hearing at District Justice James E. McMahon's office. Atwood was caught about 4:30 p.m. in a West Hill neighborhood, police Capt. Michael Menster said.
Menster said Thursday he didn't have details about how or where Atwood escaped.
Atwood was initially arrested Sunday evening in Sharon and charged with aggravated assault, fleeing and eluding, flight to avoid apprehension and two counts each of recklessly endangering another person and endangering the welfare of children.
Atwood was scheduled to have a preliminary hearing before McMahon Thursday afternoon but had no attorney when he arrived, a clerk at McMahon's said. His hearing was rescheduled for 9:30 a.m. Sept. 12.
At some time Atwood escaped police. Police found him in the 400 block of Ohio Street, Menster said.
Atwood had removed part of his orange jail jumpsuit and was hiding in some bushes. Tips from neighbors helped police find Atwood who was apprehended without incident, Menster said.
Police on Weed and Seed patrol Sunday spotted Atwood in the 800 block of Spearman Avenue in Sharon.
He was wanted by state police because he had escaped from a halfway house on Aug. 13, police said.
Police said when they approached Atwood's car he put it into reverse and almost backed over the policemen.
Atwood led police on a short chase before he bailed out of the car and started running. Police said they caught him in the 200 block of Mesabi Street.
Atwood had two children in the car, ages 7 and 3, who were not his, police said.
Atwood now faces a felony escape charge and was to be arraigned Thursday evening, Menster said.
Herald Staff Writer Erin Remai contributed to this story.
You can e-mail Herald Staff Writer Kristen Garrett at kgarrett@sharonherald.com