Details emerge about capture of escaped Fla. prison inmates


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ORLANDO, Fla. — Life on the run came to an end for Charles Walker and Joseph Jenkins Saturday evening. The two escaped prison inmates were captured at a motel in Panama City Beach, which is several hundred miles from Orlando, where they were last seen.

"They just started screaming, and no one was answering, and they started hollering, 'Come out, we know you're up there,' " said John Swab, a motel guest who overheard the capture. " 'We're coming in after you.' "

According to the sheriff's spokeswoman, Ruth Corley, the operation was quick with no shots fired.

"It took a little less than a minute, and both men exited the room with their hands in the air and were taken into custody without further incident," Corley said.

Family members of the escapees pleaded with Walker and Jenkins to surrender at a press conference just hours before they were caught.

"I just want you home safely, son, please come home," said Lillie Danzy, Walker's mother, at the press conference.

The escape relied on forged documents, which included faked signatures of a prosecutor and a judge. Jenkins and Walker were initially so confident their plan would succeed, they made no effort to hide.


I think that every state, especially Florida, for the last two or three years has to look at everyone who's been released under conditions like this and verify that it was a legitimate release.

–Clint Van Zandt, former FBI profiler


They even registered as felons at the county jail.

Former FBI profiler Clint Van Zandt worries their cases may just be the tip of the iceberg.

"I think that every state, especially Florida, for the last two or three years, has to look at everyone who's been released under conditions like this and verify that it was a legitimate release," Van Zandt said.

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