Escaped Inmate Back In Custody After Allegedly Leading Police On A Chase Through Fayette Co.
GERMAN TOWNSHIP, Pa. (KDKA) - An escaped inmate is now back in custody after he led police on a chase through Fayette County.
According to investigators, it around 10:30 Monday morning when convicted felon Justin Charles Shea was on his way to start a 2-year sentence in Greene County lock-up. But police say he jumped out of the vehicle transporting him on Route 21 in German Township.
Justin Charles Shea,escaped from a prisoner transport van on SR21 in German Twp in the area of the Double T Bar. Has crashed into a tree after legal state police and other agencies on a chase through Fayette County. SHEA is now in custody. pic.twitter.com/yirvbL9ysz
— Ross Guidotti (@RossGuidotti) May 4, 2020
"I could hear brakes squealing and I thought somebody wrecked," said Tammy Lynn Smith, who witnessed the escape.
Smith says she watched in disbelief as 23-year-old ran toward her as she was outside working in her mother's front yard.
"Here comes an inmate with shackles and chains running at me and I'm wondering, 'is this really happening?'" she said.
Shea then allegedly went inside the home and stole a BMW from inside the closed garage -- and he didn't open the door.
Driving through the garage door, he allegedly took off and drove towards the two corrections officers he'd escaped from. The two officers opened fire.
"They just started shooting at him like 10 or 12 times," said Smith.
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Police say Shea then led them on a chase through Fayette County, at times hitting speeds over 120 mph.
The chase came to an end when he crashed the stolen car.
He was taken back into custody and faces felony charges.