FORT DODGE – A Fort Dodge inmate escaped from jail this weekend and led cops on a harrowing chase before they caught him and a much younger female accomplice.
Saturday night at approximately 10:55 PM, the Webster County Telecommunication Center was contacted by the Webster County Jail in reference to an inmate who had escaped.
After an investigation was conducted it was learned that a male had propped a third story exit door open before exiting out and using sheeting to climb down into the alley. A police canvas of the immediate area was conducted and the male’s county inmate clothing was located. A K9 track was done but the male’s scent was lost near the intersection of South 8th Street and 1st Avenue South.
Through further investigation and utilization of city street cameras it was learned that the male was likely in a silver Chevrolet Impala. Several addresses previously associated with the male were then checked within Webster County. At approximately 1:12AM the above vehicle was located in Otho and a traffic stop was initiated by a Webster County Deputy. The vehicle came to a stop before driving off in an attempt to elude deputies.
Officers with the Fort Dodge Police Department assisted in the pursuit and were able to deploy stop sticks near the intersection of 219th Street and Quail Ave striking one of the vehicle’s tires. A slow speed pursuit then traveled through Fort Dodge before the vehicle became disabled in the 100 block of South 14th Street.
The male driver and a female passenger were then taken into custody without incident.
– 43-year-old Jordan Mefferd, of Fort Dodge, IA
• Felony Eluding (Class C Felony)
• Felony Escape (Class D Felony)
– 27-year-old Destiny Sumpter
▪ Violation of Probation (Class D Felony)
▪ Aiding and Abetting Felony Escape (Class D Felony)
Mefferd is currently being held in the Webster County Jail on $169,000 cash bond.
Sumpter is currently being held in the Webster County jail on $20,000 cash bond.
This incident remains under investigation.
The Webster County Sheriff’s Office was assisted in this investigation by the Fort Dodge Police Department.
