Original Blog Entry: Handcuffed prisoner opens police car and escapes

truesee — Sun, 18 Jul 2010 18:18:56 GMT

Search continues for handcuffed man who escaped from police car

Ridgh Genesis Achille, 19, had just been arrested on a charge of shoplifting a pair of sunglasses from Altamonte Mall.

Ridgh Achille, 19, escaped from the back of a police car as he was being transported to the SEminole County Jail. (Seminole County Sheriff's Office / July 17, 2010)

Susan Jacobson,

Orlando Sentinel 7:09 p.m. EDT, July 17, 2010

Law enforcement officers have called off the dogs and the helicopter, but they continue to search for a man who escaped from a police car Friday evening as he was being transported to jail.

A handcuffed Ridgh Genesis Achille, 19, escaped from the car after telling the officer behind the wheel that he was claustrophobic and couldn't breathe, Altamonte Springs police said. It's not uncommon for the air to get stuffy in the back of a patrol car, they said.

Achille had been arrested on a shoplifting charge at the Altamonte Mall about 8 p.m. and was being taken to the Seminole County Jail when the officer opened the window slightly, Altamonte Springs Lt. Derrick Becton said.

Somehow, the prisoner opened the door from the outside and ran off at County Home Road, near Flea World and the jail in Sanford

Seminole County deputies and Altamonte Springs police officers, aided by dogs and a helicopter, looked in vain for Achille into Saturday morning. He will be rearrested on an escape charge, Becton said.

Achille was caught on the outskirts of the mall after he stole a pair of sunglasses from Solstice Sunglass Boutique, police said. There also is a warrant for his arrest out of Orange County on a burglary charge, they said.

Achille is awaiting trial on 2009 Orange County charges of burglary of a dwelling, theft and resisting arrest, court records show. In January, he pleaded no contest to resisting arrest in Orange County after initially being charged with aggravated battery on a pregnant woman, witness tampering, false imprisonment and resisting arrest.

When he escaped, Achille was wearing a blue plaid or checked shirt with tight black jeans and tennis shoes. He is black, has a shaved head and a goatee, Becton said.

... [ More ]