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LOGAN — Authorities are searching for a man under investigation for drug offenses who escaped from custody Wednesday night.
Logan Police Lt. Brad Franke said Osvaldo Miranda, 23, was last seen in the area of 1000 West and 200 North in Logan. Miranda was being transported to the Cache County Jail when he escaped from a police vehicle and fled on foot at approximately 10 p.m.
Franke said Miranda had been under investigation for distribution of heroin by the Cache-Rich Drug Task Force.
5 feet 10 inches tall
145 pounds
Black hair Brown eyes
"They had received information that Mr. Miranda was going to Salt Lake to pick up a quantity of drugs," said Logan Police Chief Gary Jensen.
Authorities initiated a traffic stop against Miranda on Wednesday and found him in possession of one-half pound of heroin, Franke said.
Utah Highway Patrol Sgt. Jason Kendrick said Miranda was "compliant with all our orders. He got out of the vehicle, came back (and) was placed in handcuffs."
Kendrick transported Miranda in the back of his vehicle. Just as they got within a half mile of the jail, Kendrick says Miranda started fidgeting and complaining that his handcuffs were hurting him.
"He was able to pop his seat belt and get the door open," Kendrick said.
The sergeant called for backup, but Miranda disappeared into a nearby field and was gone.
"What we thought was the child-safety lock was activated. Obviously, it was not." Sgt. Jason Kendrick, UHP
"(We spent) three to four hours with numerous officers and canines, trying to locate the suspect," Jenson said.
Though he's embarrassed to admit it, Kendrick believes one small thing enabled that escape. "What we thought was the child-safety lock was activated. Obviously, it was not," he said.
Police say Miranda was being investigated for a number of drug cases in the Logan area. They said he does not have a violent history, but that could change now that he's on the run.
Officers said Miranda does have some gang ties and could be headed towards Salt Lake City. Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to call Logan police at 435-753-7555.
