Two inmates captured at IHOP within hours of escape from Newport News Jail Annex
NEWPORT NEWS, Va. – In a matter of hours, two inmates who had escaped from the Newport News Jail Annex were back in custody.
John M. Garza, 37, and Arley V. Nemo, 43, were discovered missing from their cell during routine head count around 7:15 p.m. on Monday, March 20. Hampton Police Department officers arrested them at the IHOP in Hampton in the early morning hours of Tuesday, March 21.
The hole made in the wall through which the inmates made their escape (March 20, 2023) Newport News Sheriff’s Office photo
The Newport News Sheriff’s Office (NNSO) preliminary investigation discovered the two men began to exploit a construction design weakness utilizing primitive-made tools constructed from a toothbrush and metal object. Those tools facilitated their access to untied rebars between the walls. Once gaining access to the rebar, they used it to further make their escape.
Once outside but still within the containment wall, Garza and Nemo proceeded to scale the wall and departed the area.
Based on this incident, a Newport News facility management and engineering team comprised of NNSO personnel and city facilities engineers are reviewing and formulating ways to mitigate the aforementioned facility weakness.
Due to the fact that this weakness presents itself throughout the facility, and until all weaknesses are identified and secured, we will not discuss the situation further for security reasons.
“I extend my gratitude to the Newport News Police Department, the Hampton Police Department, and the James City County Police Department for their assistance in our attempt to recapture these inmates,” said Sheriff Gabe Morgan.
"Moreover, I’m thankful for the citizens who observed Garza and Nemo at the IHOP and notified law enforcement. It reinforces what we always say “see something, say something,” Sheriff Morgan added.
A criminal investigation and an internal investigation are ongoing as the Sheriff’s Office works to minimize the chances of such an event happening again.
Nemo, a Gloucester resident, was being held on numerous charges including credit card fraud, credit card
larceny, forgery, possession of burglary tools, grand larceny, contempt of court, and probation violation.
Charges related to the escape are pending.