An escapee from a southwest Iowa jail is back in custody. The Page County sheriff’s office says 19-year-old Johnathon Lee Million was recaptured about 90 minutes after he escaped from the jail in Clarinda Thursday evening.
Page County Sheriff Lyle Palmer says surveillance camera video which monitors the inmate exercise yard reveals the suspect climbing the 14-foot fence and disappearing from camera range in 18 seconds. Palmer says once Million reached the top of the fence, there was a breach in the chain link material which created a small opening and allowed the suspect to squeeze through to freedom around 5 p.m.
The first-year sheriff reports the suspect was apprehended in Shenandoah. Sheriff Palmer says it’s not known if Million had outside help. They’re still investigating how he got from Clarinda to Shenandoah. In the meantime, the outdoor exercise area is closed to inmates until it can be inspected and made secure.
Million was one of two suspects arrested in Shenandoah earlier this week in connection with the discovery of an alleged meth lab. He now faces new charges as a result of the escape.
Palmer credits many people with the search and re-capture of Million. Palmer’s department was assisted by the Iowa State Patrol and the patrol’s airplane, the Clarinda and Shenandoah police departments, and various other law enforcement agencies.