http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wium/local-wium-980274.mp3
Macomb, IL – Some changes in procedure are possible after an inmate escaped from custody while he was being transferred Monday afternoon in west-central Illinois.
Kyle Williams, 28, of Astoria, was under arrest on meth-related charges from both McDonough and Fulton Counties. The counties routinely meet at the Table Grove Fire Station to transfer custody of inmates, but this time the hand-off became anything but routine when Williams fled after being unshackled.
"Obviously we (both counties) dropped the ball, and we will change the way we do things," said McDonough County Sheriff Rick VanBrooker. "I believe we're going to leave the leg shackles on and just exchange them later. That was the biggest mistake."
The Fulton County Sheriff's Department said a "large scale search" was undertaken, with Illinois State Police Air Operations and several K-9 units called in to assist with the hunt for Williams. He was spotted several times but managed to elude authorities, and the search was called off when it became dark.
Investigators later received a tip about Williams' whereabouts, and he was arrested by Fulton County sheriff's deputies at around 6:00am Tuesday at his girlfriend's trailer in Astoria.
Williams now faces additional charges of escape, resisting a peace officer, and obstructing a peace officer.
The woman, Cassie Bent, 28, of Astoria, is charged with obstructing a peace officer.