Suspect in cruiser theft charged

Suspect in cruiser theft charged


01/08/09

OREGON, Mo. — A Jamesport man who allegedly escaped from the Holt County Jail on Christmas Day in one of the department’s cruisers has been formally charged in the matter.

Ross A. Archer, 42, faces felony counts of escape and first-degree tampering, according to a complaint filed Wednesday in Holt County Associate Circuit Court.

Mr. Archer was caught driving the patrol car shortly before noon Dec. 26 in Eisenhower State Park in Osage County, Kan.

The patrol car theft occurred when Mr. Archer, acting as a trusty for the jail, allegedly stole a 2004 Chevrolet Impala and fled the area. He was incarcerated while awaiting court activity on an earlier stolen vehicle case from September. He had faced a Wednesday court appearance on that alleged theft before the incident, and a rescheduled date has not been set.

Inmates typically earn trusty status based on model behavior.

According to the department’s account, Mr. Archer went outside the jail to empty trash on Christmas night. Staff members didn’t realize he’d stolen a deputy’s keys, used to start the cruiser. The car became stuck in the park and had to be towed.

New Holt County Sheriff Scott Wedlock — who recently assumed the office after being elected in November — said Mr. Archer remains in Kansas pending an extradition process.

Mr. Wedlock said he chose not to take any disciplinary action against the deputy, who he called a newer staff member. The department has begun a new policy on the control of keys, he added.

“The personnel are going to be trained to a higher level,” Mr. Wedlock said.

Holt County Presiding Commissioner Mark Sitherwood said he had no comment on Mr. Archer’s case.

Bond was set at $100,000. The next court date in the case has not been set.