Prisoner Escapes From Jail Van, Steals SUV, Crashes

Franklin County Sheriff Scott Nichols Sr. says 31-year-old Derek Cook of Wilton slipped off a handcuff and fled from a transport van late Tuesday morning

Officials say a Maine prisoner who was being transported from the Androscoggin County Jail to Franklin County escaped and led police on a chase in a stolen SUV.

Franklin County Sheriff Scott Nichols Sr. says 31-year-old Derek Cook of Wilton slipped off a handcuff and fled from a transport van late Tuesday morning. The driver, a deputy, took him back into custody, but Cook got away a second time after a scuffle.

The Sun Journal reports
that Cook, still wearing leg irons, broke into a home and forced a woman to hand over keys to an SUV.

Nichols said the chase came to an end when Cook crashed the vehicle in Chesterville. Three different agencies brought a dozen charges against Cook.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
Contact Us