Jason Gibson was in court today, facing criminal mischief charges for allegedly vandalizing cars in Watervliet.
"He was not handcuffed, he was being brought back to a detention area, a booking area where we hold prisoners," says Watervliet Police Chief Ron Boisvert.
That's when Gibson made his move. He ran out the front doors, stripped out of his yellow prison jumpsuit and headed south along the Hudson River.
Not long after, police were out in full force...About seventy officers from various agencies including State Police and the Sheriff's Department.
"There was no source spared," Boisvert says. "We had the helicopter up, search and rescue out helping us."
The search grid spanned about a mile and a half along the river. Police combed the shoreline and surrounding woods, finally locating Gibson in a culvert pipe stretching under 787 and to the water's edge. It's estimated size...only 16 inches wide.
"He lost his shirt and was down to just his boxer shorts when we finally apprehended him," Boisvert says. "He was cold, scared, and sore."
And in a lot more trouble then he started out in. Police tell us Gibson will be charged with felony escape. He was examined by a medical team and taken back to jail...The very place he was running from.
"The little taste of jail he had for the past few days didn't agree with him," Boisvert says. "He's an 18 year old kid and he was scared."
Gibson is due back in court Tuesday.
