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Iowa prison inmate escapes with help of girlfriend

Newton Correctional Facility
Newton Correctional Facility

NEWTON, IOWA – An Iowa prison inmate escaped from the Newton Correctional Facility recently, driving off in his waiting girlfriend’s car, only to be captured soon thereafter.

According to a memo released Friday by the Newton Correctional Facilty, the following inmate escape and capture took place:

On January 23, 2016 at 1:35 p.m., the NCF Sgt. contacted the NCF Captain that the CRC (Correctional Release Center) 1:00 p.m. count did not clear. The Sgt. reported they were in the process of searching for CRC Inmate Edward Shorter who was not present for count. The Captain assumed Incident Command.

1:50 p.m. CERT Team members from 1st and 2nd shift were deployed to CRC to begin searching for Inmate Shorter. The Jasper County Sheriff, Marion County Sheriff and Polk County Sheriff were contacted as well as the Warden, Deputy Warden, Security Director and Duty Officer who contacted the Deputy Director, who contacted the Director. State Radio was notified with the information which was sent out.

2:00 p.m. Inmate Shorter’s property was picked up and staff began to go through it looking for any evidence. Officers began going through phone calls and o-mails. Fresh footprints were found in the snow along the drive that leads up to the CRC and ending at South 60th. Photos were taken and distributed.

CRC offenders remained in their bunks following the count not clearing, and visits were cancelled at 2:15 p.m. CERT Team and Support Staff began searching the CRC grounds/out buildings. CERT Commanders arrived and began to organize the search. The Deputy Warden, Security Director and Unit Manager arrived.

3:34 p.m. The Public Information Officer put out the media release.

3:54 p.m. Officer reported that he listened to a series of four phone calls from 9:30 a.m. and 11:40 a.m. on January 23, 2016, where Inmate Shorter asked his girlfriend to pick him up by the entrance to the CRC.

4:10 p.m. It was established that the Inmate left by vehicle. CERT Team searches were suspended and brought back to the facility for debrief.

4:30 p.m. The Deputy Director of Institutions arrived at NCF and contacted the Deputy Director of Community Corrections, who stated the 5th District Fugitive Unit is available to assist if needed. The Deputy Director stayed in continual contact with the Director, Warden and Public Information Officer throughout the incident. The U.S. Marshall’s office contacted the Security Director to offer assistance.

4:30 p.m. The CRC returned to normal operations with the exception of visits.

5:00 p.m. The First Shift Captain was relieved and second shift Captain assumed Incident Command.

5:10 p.m. Information was received from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office that they arrived at the identified address in Des Moines and spoke to Inmate Shorter’s girlfriend. The vehicle used was identified as a green 2003 Chrysler Sebring. They also identified that Inmate Shorter had been at the home and collected some personal belongings and left.

5:20 p.m. Inmate #6355439 was brought in for questioning. He is reportedly a half-brother of Inmate Shorter. He was uncooperative and brought to restrictive housing for further questioning.

5:30 – 6:00 p.m. The Captain made and received phone calls from various agencies trading information in attempt to find Inmate Shorter.

6:00 p.m. The Security Director phoned Inmate Shorter’s girlfriend. (This is the phone number that was used to make the phone calls to plan the escape) She answered and described where she dropped Inmate Shorter off. She indicates the Police have already been to her home.

6:15 p.m. Assistance was requested from 5th Judicial District Fugitive Unit and the U.S. Marshall Service.

6:25 p.m. Information received from the girlfriend via phone call was passed on to the 5th Judicial District Fugitive Unit, the U.S. Marshall Service, the Ankeny P.D. and U.S. Marshall.

6:45 p.m. The Deputy Warden contacted Inmate Shorter’s mother. She states she has not heard from Inmate Shorter but will contact us or the authorities if she does. Also got Grandfather’s name that passed away, as he may be headed to Davenport where he lived.

The 5th Judicial District Fugitive Unit and the U.S. Marshall Service were charged with the task of locating prison escapee Shorter, Edward. Information was obtained from the Newton Correctional Facility staff which included a vehicle description and phone number of a female alleged to have assisted Shorter in his escape. The person was later identified as the girlfriend of Offender Shorter. Officers immediately started an emergency phone ping on the number in question through Polk County Dispatch. The first phone ping placed the girlfriend around her last known address. Upon their arrival at the address, it was discovered that the girlfriend had left and her phone was now powered down. Officers conducted new interviews with the girlfriend’s family at that residence and started to track down a list of local associates of Shorter. Officers conducted a host of additional interviews and located another person of interest tied to the girlfriend. Ultimately, with the cooperation with her family, we were able to finally locate her. After interviewing the girlfriend, an address of interest was developed. She informed officers that the subject was planning to leave town that night. Officers rushed to the address and got it surrounded. This address was an apartment that was associated with a friend of Shorter. At some point, the subject must have observed officers in the hallway and attempted to come out the third floor balcony. The subject then retreated back inside the residence as officers started to make contact at the front door. The subject again came outside and contemplated escaping from the third floor balcony. Officers gave the subject verbal commands from the ground to go the front door where he surrendered without further incident to officers. The subject was placed into custody.

9:50 p.m. The Deputy Director contacted the NCF Captain to advise that the 5th District Fugitive Unit has Inmate Shorter in custody. The Fugitive Unit Leader contacted the NCF Captain to arrange prisoner transfer. Inmate Shorter was then transported to the I-80 Mitchellville exit where custody was transferred to NCF Staff. All notifications were made following the apprehension. The 5th District Fugitive Unit was assisted by the U. S. Marshalls.

10:30 p.m. Authorities were contacted to let them know Inmate Shorter was in custody.

SHORTER, EDWARD NATHANIEL
SHORTER, EDWARD NATHANIEL
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