Burglary Suspect Walks Out Of Gary Jail
GARY, Ind. (STMW) -- Police arrested two burglary suspects, including one with a prior burglary conviction, inside a vacant house after officers saw the pair hauling appliances from an east side home Friday.
But a day later, one of the suspects was no longer in custody.
Police said Larry McCraney, 59, walked out of the Public Safety Facility sometime between 2:30 a.m. and 8 a.m. Saturday.
McCraney was last seen sitting in the booking area of the holding facility, police said.
If the doors in the jail and booking areas are properly secured, the only way out is with a key.
McCraney, of 1725 W. 15th Ave., and Reginald Jackson, 50, were arrested in the 2100 block of Kentucky Street on Friday morning. Patrolmen Foster Ward, Isiah Price and Kwata Osborne responded to a burglary in progress and found McCraney at the top of the basement stairs with a hot water tank.
Jackson, convicted in 2005 of burglary, was steering a refrigerator to the back door, police said.
Both were taken into custody, but McCraney was later transported to the hospital for a medical evaluation and returned several hours later.
Gary police keep prisoners for short periods until they can be moved to the Lake County Jail. The city shut down its full-time jail three years ago, and correctional officers were dismissed from duties there. Front desk officers are responsible for supervising the holding areas.
McCraney's family members came to the Gary jail Saturday morning with the medicine he needs to take. That's when police discovered he was not there.
