UPDATE: TAZEWELL (WVVA) - Below is a Press Release from Police Officials regarding the capture of an escaped inmate in Tazewell County.
8/12/12 at
approximately noon Mr. John T. O'Quinn Jr. was taken into custody in the
Beartown Rd. area of Tazewell County. Sheriff Brian Hieatt said, "This was a
tremendous undertaking, with numerous agencies involved as well as private
citizens coming out to aid in this suspects capture. Mr. O'Quinn was tracked
well in to the early morning hours of Sunday and with fresh eyes and legs in
the area Mr. O'Quinn was spotted and the chase began anew."
Area agencies involved
included the Tazewell County Sheriff's Office, Tazewell Police Department,
Virginia State Police, Virginia Department of Corrections, Richlands Police
Department, Cedar Bluff Police Department, Thompson Valley Fire and Rescue,
Burkes Garden Fire Department, Tannersville Fire Department, Rescue Seven, Abbs
Valley Fire Department, and many others. Tazewell Police Chief DeWitt Cooper
stated, "We are glad this man has been captured and would like to thank the
Tazewell County Sheriff's Office and the rest of the agencies involved for
assisting us with this case. It is obvious there was a combined effort to bring
this suspect back into custody. Our investigation continues and there may be additional
charges pending on Mr. O'Quinn and others involved in his escape."
There were approximately
100 people including deputies, officers, fire fighters, rescue workers,
dispatchers and private citizens involved in taking Mr. O'Quinn into custody.
There was one deputy injured on Saturday evening while responding to the
Beartown Rd. area, the deputy was involved in a motor vehicle crash involving
another vehicle on US 460 east near Limestone Rd. Deputy Caldwell of the
Tazewell County Sheriff's Office was transported to Clinch Valley Medical
Center and treated for minor injuries and released. The driver of the other
vehicle was not injured and Virginia State Police are investigating this crash.
Sheriff Brian Hieatt
stated, "The reason we consider a fleeing felon dangerous is for this very
reason, when you have such a large number of people responding to this type of
incident accidents can occur. The Virginia State Police are an extremely
professional organization and they are conducting the investigation into the
deputy's crash." Over ten different agencies have been involved in bringing Mr.
O'Quinn back in to custody and there were no other reported injuries.
Mr. O'Quinn was treated
at the scene for minor injuries from scratches while running from authorities,
when he was located he was found to be wearing only his boxer shorts and socks.
Mr. O'Quinn reported he was hungry and thirsty but was overall in good
condition. Mr. O'Quinn was taken before the magistrate and is being held
without bond. It is unknown when Mr. O'Quinn will have his next court date.
UPDATE: TAZEWELL (WVVA) -The search continues for Mr. O'Quinn throughout the night. At approximately 8:45 pm Saturday deputies received a call regarding a location of Mr. O'Quinn on Beartown Rd, Tazewell. As deputies approached Mr. O'Quinn he ran into the woods before deputies could apprehend him. Search Dogs were called in throughout the day from various agencies in Virginia, Mr. O'Quinn was tracked from Tazewell to the Thompson Valley area.
Based on current information Mr. O'Quinn is wearing only his white inmate uniform pants and tennis shoes. K-9 officers and deputies found Mr. O'Quinn's white t-shirt earlier in the day in the area behind the jail. With temperatures dipping down into the 50's tonight deputies are keeping the pressure on Mr. O'Quinn.
Everyone is cautioned and reminded that Mr. O'Quinn has made threats that he will not go back to jail, he should be considered dangerous. We are asking residents in the area to report any suspicious person in and around your residences. Do not let anyone into your residence that you do not know.
Several agencies including the Tazewell County Sheriff's Office, Tazewell Police Department, Virginia State Police, Virginia Department of Corrections, Mercer County Sheriff's Office, West Virginia State Police and Princeton Police Department have participated in this man hunt. Deputies and officers have gone to Rock, WV, Princeton, WV and Green Valley, WV in an attempt to interview anyone that may have been involved in Mr. O'Quinn's escape.
We are asking anyone with information regarding the location of Mr. O'Quinn to please contact the Tazewell County Sheriff's Office 911 Dispatch Center at (276) 988-0645/0704. We are following up on all information and those calling in false information in an attempt to thwart Law Enforcement efforts will be prosecuted.
TAZEWELL (WVVA) - An inmate from the Southwest Virginia Regional Jail in Tazewell has escaped and is considered dangerous.
John Theodore O'Quinn Jr was a trustee at the regional jail. Police say while taking out trash, O'Quinn walked away from the jail.
It is unknown at this time if Mr. O'Quinn was aided in his escape by anyone but his wife is a person of interest.
Police say O'Quinn is currently on a secured bond in Tazewell Jail awaiting extradition to WV for Burglary, Convicted Felon in Possession of a Firearm and Fleeing from Law Enforcement. He also has additional charges in Virginia for Grand Larceny, Burglary and Failure to Appear.
Mr. O'Quinn should be considered dangerous due to a number of incidents involving resisting arrest and fleeing from Law Enforcement.
The Tazewell Police Department, Tazewell County Sheriff's Office and the Virginia State Police are currently searching for Mr. O'Quinn and asking anyone with information regarding the location of Mr. O'Quinn to contact the 911 Dispatch Center at (276) 988-0645/0704.
27-year-old John Theodore O'Quinn Jr. also goes by the name of "JJ." Police describe him as a white male with brown hair and brown eyes. He is 5'10" and between 165 and 175 pounds.
He has ties to the Green Valley, Wv. area
The Tazewell Police Department, Tazewell County Sheriff's Office and the Virginia State Police are currently searching for Mr. O'Quinn and asking anyone with information regarding the location of Mr. O'Quinn to contact the 911 Dispatch Center at (276) 988-0645/0704.
