Two inmates at a Virginia jail used crude tools to punch a hole in the wall and escape, only to be found at an IHOP restaurant shortly followingward, police said.
Authorities spotted the two men, ages 37 and 43, on the run when a routine inmate count was conducted at the Newport News jail Monday night, according to a local police statement.
A preliminary investigation found that the inmates used a toothbrush and a metal object to poke a hole in the wall, the statement said. After escaping from their cell, they climbed a wall surrounding the prison.
Authorities asked the public for help finding the fugitives, who were found at an IHOP restaurant in Hampton Tuesday morning when diners there called police.
“This confirms the importance of our message to the public: if you see something suspicious, report it,” Police Commander Gabe Morgan said.
The police indicated that they are investigating to prevent this from happening once more.
One of the men, a Hampton resident, was charged with contempt of court and violation of probation. The other, a Gloucester resident, was charged with credit card fraud, document forgery, theft and probation violation.
The two may face additional charges for the escape, police said.
