BREAKING: Escaped Inmate Andrew Jeffers has been Captured
COUDERSPORT – Escaped inmate Andrew Jeffers has been captured.
Just moments ago Jeffers was escorted into the Coudersport Borough Police Department by Coudersport Borough Chief of Police Lee Gross and Sweden Township Chief of Police Bryan Phelps.
Jeffers was captured a short time ago after a foot pursuit, according to a CoudyNews reporter at the scene.
A manhunt for Jeffers began shortly after he escaped from the Potter County Jail yesterday afternoon.
Police quickly began a search near the Coudersport Consistory where Jeffers was spotted running into the woods wearing a yellow jail uniform. The search later went cold, after his trail was lost near North Coudersport (Rubbertown). The search continued this morning near an area of Empson Road in Ulysses Township after it was reported Jeffers had been spotted in a wooded area near that location.
Helicopters were brought in to assist with the search this morning, at which point police say they boxed Jeffers in. He was apprehended following a brief foot pursuit shortly afterward.
Jail officials will not comment on how Jeffers escaped, but anonymous sources tell CoudyNews he was working as a kitchen trustee when he ran through an open door. The incident has raised many questions in the community, as it is unclear whether or not Jeffers, who appears not to be sentenced, was eligible for such an assignment.
Lead investigator in the manhunt for Jeffers, Chief of Police Lee Gross, issued the following press release:
Through an extensive effort by the Pennsylvania State Police, Sweden Township Police, Coudersport Borough Police, Potter County Probation, Potter County Sheriff’s Department and Potter County EMA, the subject, Andrew Schuyler Jeffers, was brought into custody this morning at 10:40 a.m.
Jeffers, who was jailed on multiple counts of theft, has now been charged with third-degree felony Escape. If convicted, he faces a maximum of 3 1/2 to 7 years in prison and a fine of $15,000.
