Armed man aids escape from Newton jail

KENTLAND, Ind. (WLFI) - Anthony Ray Fisher was being escorted to the Newton County Courthouse for trial when he escaped with aid from a man driving a stolen white Toyota. Police are currently pursuing the pair.

The Newton County Sheriff's Department said a man drove up and displayed a silver handgun at corrections officer escorting Fisher.

The man told the corrections officer, "Drop your radio and run."

The vehicle used in the escape was a white four door passenger car, and was reported stolen from Indianapolis on Jan. 25th. The fugitives have since abandoned this vehicle near the intersection of First Street and Carroll streets in Kentland, and may be in a second vehicle described by a witness as "a 2000 red Ford Ranger with a dark colored topper." 

Detective Dustin Gary said Fisher was in jail on charges for receiving stolen property, but also had charges pending against him for an earlier attempt at escape.

According to Gary, Fisher used hacksaw blades and tried to cut windows at the jail in an escape attempt about a month ago. The hacksaw blades had been hidden inside a legal pad that had not been as closely inspected as it otherwise would have been because it had been labelled as coming from an attorney. Gary says that that policy has changed since the incident.

Fisher is described as a white male with brown hair and brown eyes. He is 6'0", 175 pounds, and is 36 years old. He was last wearing a blue jean jacket with Newton County across the back. He had a brown sweater with silver shirt and silver striped tie, along with brown dress slacks.

"The male that assisted Fisher is described as wearing blue jeans, a light colored jacket and a facial disguise covering his nose," said Gary.

Anyone with information on this incident is asked to contact Detective Dustin Gary at the Newton County Sheriff's Department at (219) 474-5661. Police warn that these suspects should not be approached. They are considered armed and dangerous.