Burglary defendant attempts daring escape while appearing in Florida circuit courtroom

On July 14, Florida’s Collier County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) reported that one of their prisoners attempted a daring escape while he was attending a courtroom hearing on Wednesday.  A convicted felon from Naples, Florida, who went on the run from the courtroom was identified as 24-year-old Jeff Haynes. Thanks to deputies on the scene though, that defendant’s escape was cut short.

Sheriff Kevin Rambosk praised Bailiffs Cpl. Vincent Peteroy, Dep. Roy Jacobsen and Dep. Todd Heinle for their swift response in quickly apprehending the escapee.  The Sheriff made a phone call to each deputy to personally thank them for a job well done.

“Their instincts and training kicked in, and they were able to prevent the defendant from leaving the courtroom,” said Rambosk. “These deputies maintained order in the courtoom. Nobody was hurt and the defendant remains in our custody.”

Haynes was in Circuit Judge Elizabeth Krier’s courtroom for a hearing on nine violations of probation from a burglary charge. He was standing at the podium before the judge when suddenly, he took off running. Haynes jumped over the swinging doors into the audience where he was quickly tackled by the three bailiffs.

He was handcuffed and returned to the Collier County Jail where he was additionally charged with felony escape and resisting arrest.

Lt. Joe Fiola, supervisor of the Bailiff Bureau said Haynes never got near the courtroom exit doors. He said this is the first time a defendant has tried to escape from a courtroom in all the years he’s been with the Bailiff Bureau.

“We haven’t had anything like this in at least 12 years that I can recall,” Lt. Fiola said.

(Source and Jeff Haynes booking photo: CCSO)

Posted by Richard Webster, Ace News Today   /   Follow Richard on Facebook and Twitter