Denver man captured 2 days after escaping from patrol car in handcuffs

LINCOLN COUNTY, N.C. — A Denver man has been captured after police said he was on the run and managed to escape from the back of a patrol car in Lincoln County Sunday night.

Deputies said they located 50-year-old Clarence Jackson Crutchfield at a home on Burnhurst Trail in Denver shortly after noon on Tuesday.

Police said the handcuffs were still on Crutchfield but the chains were cut.

Deputies said they responded to a call in an industrial area on Burnwood Trail for a possible break-in Sunday night.

That's where the deputies said they found three people sitting in a car in front of the building.

They said they then arrested Crutchfield who had several warrants out for his arrest.

The deputy said he handcuffed Crutchfield and put him in the back of the patrol car. He walked away to check on a noise he heard and when he came back, the window was down and Crutchfield was gone.

Lincoln County police conducted a search Sunday night involving K-9s and a helicopter, but said Crutchfield was not found.

Deputies told Channel 9 that they believe Crutchfield may have gotten a ride and was likely not in the area.

The suspect has outstanding warrants for breaking and entering a building, larceny after breaking and entering and possession of stolen goods. He is also charged with misdemeanor counts of larceny of handcuffs, possession of stolen goods and resist, delay and obstruct a public officer.

Crutchfield has been taken before a Lincoln County magistrate where he will be served with a number of felony and misdemeanor warrants.

He was placed under a $56,000 secured bond.

Cox Media Group