HAMILTON, Ohio -- A man is back in custody after Sears Home Remodeling workers foiled an escape attempt around 6:30 a.m. Tuesday as he was being transported to police headquarters.
Police reports say officers were called to the 700 block of Symmes Road around 5:50 a.m. Tuesday on a report of a person breaking into vehicles. Twenty-one-year-old Stephen Ricketts III fled when officers attempted to stop him in the area. Upon his capture, officers discovered he was wanted on several outstanding misdemeanor warrants.
#BREAKING Inmate escapes custody just off Main Street in Hamilton. He is back in custody. @WCPO pic.twitter.com/sZGVJdLNnK
— Ally Kraemer (@AllyKraemer) October 4, 2016
Ricketts was taken into custody and transported to police headquarters on Front Street. While in the cruiser, Ricketts slipped out of his jeans. When the officer bent over to pickup up the jeans, Ricketts ran, handcuffed, from the cruiser.
Sears remodeling employees working on Main Street said they tripped Ricketts as he ran, still handcuffed, and managed to pin him down. He was wearing shorts, a sweatshirt and no shoes. Hamilton Police and Butler County Sheriff's deputies arrived on scene in a matter of seconds.
Ricketts was booked in shortly after 7 a.m. Tuesday on the outstanding warrants and charges of escape and obstructing justice. No injuries were reported.
