The Fairfield Police Department was at the Butler County Resolutions facility on South Second Street in Hamilton returning inmates after court appearances when Cope fled, according to the sheriff’s office.
Cope, 32, jumped into the river to try and avoid capture but was apprehended a short time later.
“Inmate escaped & in custody after jumping into the river. He had about 10 minutes of freedom..” the Butler County Sheriff’s Office tweeted.
“Maybe he was trying to cool off from this heat, but he is back in custody where he belongs,” said Sheriff Richard Jones.
Cope is being held for burglary and theft out of Butler County Area II Court for failure to comply with a court order out of Hamilton Municipal Court and contempt of court from Fairfield Municipal Court. Additional charges are possible after today’s escape.
UPDATE @ 12:15 p.m.:
The prisoner is back in custody, according to Butler County Sheriff Richard Jones.
The sheriff tweeted at 12:12 p.m.: “Think the heat had anything to do with him jumping in the river? He is tired but safe and back in custody…Nice try…”
INITIAL REPORT:
Police are trying to locate a Butler County prisoner who jumped into the Great Miami River after escaping.
The man was in the process of being dropped of at the Resolutions facility on Second Street in Hamilton when he ran from a Fairfield Police transport van, according to Butler County Chief Deputy Anthony Dwyer.
Dwyer told the Journal-News that the prisoner jumped in the river and may be trying to swim to shore.
The man is handcuffed and wearing a yellow jumpsuit, according to Dwyer.
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