Inmate Gets Stuck in Apparent Escape Try

MOOREFIELD, W.Va. – A pair of shackles. That’s all that stood between a Potomac Highlands Regional Jail inmate and potential freedom.

Edward E. Van Meter, 42, of Moorefield attempted to escape custody Tuesday after he was allowed to use the restroom at Hardy County Magistrate Court, State Police announced Wednesday. Once inside, he allegedly removed several ceiling tiles and tried to make it out through the suspended ceiling.

Van Meter’s shackles got caught, though. And pretty soon, so did he.

He was unable to go any further than the top of the duct work, said Sheriff Bob Ferrell.

Deputies removed a ceiling panel from the adjacent law library to get to Van Meter, who was returned to the jail to await arraignment on the new charge of in custody escape.

Ferrell said no date has been set for that hearing or the disrupted preliminary hearing that was based on felony charges in connection with an alleged domestic incident from Jan. 2.

Van Meter suffered some minor injuries in Tuesday’s incident.

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Information from: The Cumberland Times-News, http://www.times-news.com/timesnew.html