By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
Two escaped inmates from the NorthWest Community Corrections Center in Bowling Green have been captured, according to Bowling Green Police Division.
The men, Justin Firman and Dakota Embry, were apprehended around 12:30 p.m. on Turley Road in Fostoria. Both were charged with escape and transported to the Wood County Jail in Bowling Green.
The men surrendered with no issues, BGPD Lt. Ryan Tackett said.
Also charged was Emma Busler, 30, of Deshler, for felony obstructing justice. Busler reportedly aided in transporting the men to the location where they were found in a fifth-wheel camper, Tackett said.
Law enforcement searched the camper based on information gathered from people who know the inmates, Tackett said.
Tackett said this morning that the police division had been busy following up on tips called in. Most of the reported sightings of the men came from the Bowling Green area, but some came from as far away as the Village of Leipsic and Hardin County, Tackett said.
“We’re just continuing to follow up on any tips,” he said. The ex-girlfriends and family members of the men had been contacted. The men didn’t have any known cell phones that police could ping for a location, Tackett added.
At the time, it was not known if the inmates had assistance from someone on the outside.
Firman, 36, was convicted for domestic violence, a first degree misdemeanor, and for attempted abduction, a fourth degree felony, and was sentenced to community control.
Tackett said this morning that the victim of the domestic violence and attempted abduction had been notified of Firman’s escape.
Embry, 24, of Bryan, was convicted of possession of a fentanyl-related compound in Henry County Common Pleas Court, and has been charged with breaking and entering.
The NorthWest Community Corrections Center is located at 1740 E. Gypsy Lane Road, Bowling Green, in the same complex as the Wood County Jail, which is a separate facility.
According to the community corrections center, the two inmates went over the fence of the recreation yard at approximately 8:05 p.m. on Thursday. Staff at the facility then held a formal count at 8:25 p.m. to determine the identities of the men who had escaped.
Bowling Green Police Division was notified of the escapes at 8:29 p.m. A Code Red alert was issued in the community.
Searching for the men were officers from BGPD, Wood County Sheriff’s Office, and the Ohio State Patrol.
Law enforcement started receiving several reports of potential sightings of the inmates when the Code Red alert was issued, BGPD Lt. Adam Skaff said. Efforts were made to check potential areas for the escaped men, such as the rest stops on Interstate 75, near the corrections center.
Anyone encountering either of these subjects was advised to call 911, and not approach the men.
BGPD has issued a thanks to the public for calling in tips, and to law enforcement agencies helping in the search: Wood County Sheriff’s office, Ohio Highway State Patrol, Findlay Police Division, Hancock County Sheriff’s Office, Fostoria Police Department and the U.S. Marshals Service.
According to a press release from the NorthWest Community Corrections Center this morning, the center will conduct an overall assessment of policy and procedure to identify any areas of improvement as a result of the incident. Updates will be provided when more information is available.
NWCCC is a community-based correctional facility that serves the Common Pleas Courts of Wood, Williams, Fulton, Henry, and Defiance counties. While NWCCC is funded by a grant from the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections (ODRC), it is a locally controlled entity under the direction of a Facility Governing Board.
NWCCC does not operate as a jail or a prison. NWCCC is a community-based, treatment-focused, diversion program.
Programming and services provided by NWCCC include: substance abuse intervention, cognitive-behavioral therapy, anger management, medication assisted treatment (MAT), trauma, vocational programming, manufacturing certification, community service, and a work for pay program, among others.
