Suspect attempts to escape from custody through car window

By Steve Moyer

Nevada Daily Mail

James Stewart's escape from custody was short-lived. On Oct. 20, at the office of Probation and Parole after being arrested on outstanding warrants, he was recaptured after a brief 10 minutes of freedom. His flight was brought short by an off-duty Nevada firefighter, Jerry Cox, who also works part-time at the sheriff's office.

Vernon County Sheriff Ron Peckman transported Stewart, 43, of Nevada, to the Vernon County Jail without further incident, where Stewart had a new charge -- felony escape -- to add to the seven forgery charges on the warrants.

Stewart is well known to local law-enforcement officers, Peckman described him as being very thin and agile and able to get through small openings like the back window of a patrol car.

Deputy Kenton J. Kent described Stewart's escape in the description of charges on his latest escapade. Stewart was not handcuffed in the back of the patrol car after giving his promise to not cause any trouble.

"Stewart managed to lower the window and crawl out of the moving vehicle," Kent said.

The forgery charges involve checks drawn on the account of Krystal Crawford and written to local businesses including Murphy's USA and Rickett's Southside Plaza in amounts of $30, $110, $120, $200, $250, and $245.