Two men attempted to escape from Cook County Jail Thursday evening, though they were apprehended within about 5 minutes.
The men, 22 and 38, made the escape at about 9:30 Thursday from a communal recreation room that has a television and some board games. They managed to pry the metal grate off a window, kick out the Plexiglas window and squeeze through a 12-inch space in the grate to get out, according to Cook County Sheriff spokesman Frank Bilecki.
The men were apprehended by correctional officers within about 5 minutes in the yard area between the building and the first wall they encountered, Bilecki said. They would have had to scale three more walls -— most at least 30 feet tall and topped with razor wire -— to reach California Avenue.
One of the men was taken to a nearby hospital where he is being treated for some minor scratches he received, Bilecki said. The other is now being held in the maximum-security portion of the jail, where both men will stay until they go to trial.
Both men had been in the jail for five days, Bilecki said. The 22-year-old is held on felony battery charges and a parole violation, and the 38-year-old is facing domestic battery charges.
Both men now face at minimum an attempted escape charge, Bilecki said, and because both are already jailed on felony charges the escape charge will add an additional felony.
The window is fixed now, Bilecki said, and it doesn't appear that anyone else was involved.
"People who had been in there for a while wouldn't have attempted this," Bilecki said. "They weren't going anywhere."
Thursday, May 16 2013 9:49 PM EDT2013-05-17 01:49:53 GMT
Mayor Emanuel will celebrate two years in office by unveiling "Elevate Chicago" on Thursday, a series of construction projects to improve Navy Pier and McCormick Place.
Mayor Emanuel will celebrate two years in office by unveiling "Elevate Chicago" on Thursday, a series of construction projects to improve Navy Pier and McCormick Place.
Sunday, May 19 2013 12:32 PM EDT2013-05-19 16:32:45 GMT
A 23-year-old woman was killed and four others were critically injured when two cars crashed into a building in the Far South Side Washington Heights neighborhood early Sunday.
A 23-year-old woman was killed and four others were critically injured when two cars crashed into a building in the Far South Side Washington Heights neighborhood early Sunday.
Sunday, May 19 2013 12:21 PM EDT2013-05-19 16:21:16 GMT
One adult and 11 juveniles were arrested Saturday night after police responded to groups of teens running through traffic around North Michigan Avenue on the Gold Coast.
One adult and 11 juveniles were arrested Saturday night after police responded to groups of teens running through traffic around North Michigan Avenue on the Gold Coast.
Sunday, May 19 2013 11:50 AM EDT2013-05-19 15:50:06 GMT
One number in Saturday night's Powerball drawing was the difference for a dozen Illinois players between being $10,000 richer and living the life of a multi-millionaire - whose ticket was purchased in Florida.
One number in Saturday night's Powerball drawing was the difference for a dozen Illinois players between being $10,000 richer and living the life of a multi-millionaire - whose ticket was purchased in Florida.
Sunday, May 19 2013 10:52 AM EDT2013-05-19 14:52:09 GMT
Four people have been killed and at least 15 other people wounded -- including a 12-year-old boy left in critical condition -- in shootings around the city since Friday night.
Four people have been killed and at least 15 other people wounded -- including a 12-year-old boy left in critical condition -- in shootings around the city since Friday night.
