On Monday night (March 20), two inmates managed to escape from the Newport News Jail Annex using makeshift tools to break out of their cell.
John M. Garza, 37, and Arley V. Nemo, 43, reportedly used a toothbrush and metal object to create a hole in their prison cell's wall, and then used untied rebars to dig their way out of the jail. They were discovered missing during a routine headcount at 7 p.m.
The next day, customers at an IHOP restaurant in Hampton, Virginia, recognized the escapees and alerted police, who quickly took Garza and Nemo into custody without incident. Sheriff Gabe Morgan expressed his gratitude to the Newport News Police Department, the Hampton Police Department, and the James City County Police Department for their assistance in the search for the escapees. He also praised the citizens who reported the sightings of Garza and Nemo, emphasizing the importance of community involvement in law enforcement.
Garza was being held on charges of contempt of court, probation violations, and failure to appear, while Nemo was facing multiple charges, including credit card fraud, credit card larceny, forgery, possession of burglary tools, grand larceny, contempt of court, and a probation violation. Both men are now facing additional charges for their escape from prison.