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Anderson
Published: July 1, 2009
Updated: July 2, 2009
An inmate at the Rockingham County Jail escaped custody late this morning while visiting Morehead Memorial Hospital for a medical evaluation.
Tony Lee Anderson, 40, was at the hospital with a detention officer being evaluated for an existing medical condition, according to a news release from the Rockingham County Sheriff’s Office. After his consultation with the physician, Anderson asked permission to use the restroom and was granted permission. After his transport restraints were removed, the inmate shoved the detention officer and fled the restroom and the hospital wearing his green jumpsuit.
The detention officer reported the escape and local law enforcement assisted in a search of the area. Eden Police Chief Reece Pyrtle began a search of Meadow Greens Country Club in a golf cart and observed the escaped inmate. Pyrtle took Anderson into custody without incident at 11:38 a.m., just minutes after his escape. Meadow Greens Country Club is near the hospital and the grounds are extensive, so it was a reasonable assumption that the escaped inmate may have fled to the property, according to a spokesman for the sheriff’s office.
Anderson was in custody for the following charges: unauthorized use of motor vehicle, possession of stolen vehicle, felony larceny of motor vehicle, common law robbery, larceny after breaking and entering, misdemeanor larceny, two counts of felony breaking and entering with larceny, felony possession of stolen goods, and 18 counts of misdemeanor larceny, according to the sheriff’s office. Anderson has assault and escape charges pending against him for today’s incident.
Sheriff Sam Page expressed his appreciation to all law enforcement authorities involved in the search and capture of the escaped inmate.
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Reader Reactions
SouthernCrescent says’Blah Blah Blah waaa waaa. You cant speak english. Reece is my hero…Blah blah. I’m the all knowing scholar. Blah Blah” Sheesh. It’s a shame pyrtle had to have his mom come on this forum to defend him.
Losers.
By the way, Nasty, you need to brush up on your English.
“Any of the Eden police dept. or it’s ladies auxilary could have caught this guy.“
You should have written:
“Any of the Eden Police Dept. or its Ladies’ Auxilary could have caught this guy.“
Learn to speak the language before you knock the men or women who guard your right to speak it.
Anyone could have done it, but Reece Pyrtle did it. By the way, when was the last time you did something good for the community? Caught any criminals lately? Volunteered to help kids learn to read? Walked for March of Dimes? Volunteered for hours and hours for Relay for Life? Reece Pyrtle does all of that, Mr. Nasty or whatever you take pride in calling yourself. By the way, Reece Pyrtle is too much of a gentleman to make snide remarks about you. It’s called upbringing and education.
Wow! Anal retentive cop , so bloated from donuts that he has to use a golf cart, chases down a sickly bad guy. Everybody sing his praises! He saved the city of Eden!.... Give me a break. Any of the Eden police dept. or it’s ladies auxilary could have caught this guy.
Way to go Chief!!!! get them anyway you can
And the Smoking Gun Presents…...
It is a case of dumb correctional officer. All the restraints should have never been removed….he needs to be fired.
You got it all wrong, they turned him loose to let the dogs get some practice….!
It’s a classic case of dumb criminal versus smart Police Chief! Go, Reece Pyrtle!
He will get about 2 to 5 years for the escape, if the judge isn’t a panty waist, and sticks to the rules. Suspended sentences do no good to correct violent crimes. Non violent, suspended is good because it is hanging over them and they have to behave. When it comes to violent crimes, they have proven they don’t have any respect for others or themselves.
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