VIDEO: Inmate uses only a pencil to briefly escape from a South Carolina jail, deputies say
CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, S.C. —
A man in South Carolina is facing new charges after deputies say he escaped from a county jail there using only a pencil.
Charles Alexander Dieterich, 30, of New York, briefly escaped from his jail cell at the Chesterfield County Detention Center before he was recaptured minutes later.
The incident happened around 4:20 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 1.
Deputies said he was housed in the B-Work Camp, which is in the older portion of the detention center, which was constructed in 1972.
Deputies believe Dieterich manipulated the cell door by lifting the door enough to place a pencil into the locking mechanism, allowing him to slide the door open.
After escaping his cell, Dieterich traveled through the kitchen area of the detention center and exited through an unlocked door. The sheriff’s office said this door is routinely used by jail trustees assigned to kitchen duties, including taking trash outside. Dieterich then scaled the fence and barbed wire, sustaining cuts during the escape.
Chesterfield County Detention Center
Chesterfield County Detention Center
While guards were making their rounds, they noticed that the cell door was ajar. Other inmates told the staff that Dieterich had escaped. The staff notified deputies around 4:40 p.m., and they arrived within minutes.
According to the sheriff’s office, deputies made contact with Dieterich near the Chesterfield County Shop on Jones Road. While attempting to take him into custody, Dieterich assaulted one of the deputies. He was then taken to McLeod Health Cheraw for cuts from the barbed wire. Once Dieterich was medically cleared, he was taken back to the detention center.
The sheriff’s office said that immediate security measures were implemented after the issue with the cell door was discovered.
Dieterich faces several charges related to the incident, including unlawful escape, resisting arrest, assaulting a police officer, and malicious injury to personal property.
He had originally been arrested in June on charges of possession of a stolen vehicle, manufacture/possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute, and failure to stop for a blue light.
Dieterich pleaded guilty to those charges on Aug. 13 and was sentenced to time served. Dieterich remained in custody at the Chesterfield County Detention Center due to an active hold for charges in North Carolina.
Law enforcement said that, at the time of the escape, a waiver of extradition had not been signed due to Dieterich refusing to do so.
