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Two inmates found at IHOP after escaping Virginia jail using tools made from toothbrushes

Natalie Neysa Alund, USA TODAY
·1 min read

Authorities in Virginia say two inmates were found at an IHOP after escaping jail by digging a hole with tools made from a toothbrush and a metal object.

According to a news release from the Newport News Sheriff's Office, the city's jail discovered discovered that the inmates were missing during a routine headcount around 7 p.m. EDT Monday night.

The two had dug a hole through one of the jail walls using "primitive-made tools" they constructed out of a toothbrush and metal object, the sheriff's office said. Those tools helped them access untied rebars in the wall, which they then used for the rest of their escape.

After getting out, the two encountered containment walls, scaled a wall and left the area, according to the release.

A hole in a wall at the Newport News Jail in Virginia is shown on March 20, 2023. The hole was created by two inmates that used it to escape.
A hole in a wall at the Newport News Jail in Virginia is shown on March 20, 2023. The hole was created by two inmates that used it to escape.

They were found on Tuesday morning at an IHOP in Hampton, about 8 miles northeast of the jail. Officials took them into custody there, they said.

Sheriff Gabe Morgan thanked the IHOP patrons who noticed the two escapees and alerted law enforcement, the release said.

The incident remained under investigation on Wednesday, authorities said.

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Why were the escaped inmates in jail?

One inmate was in jail on charges including contempt of court, probation violations and failure to appear. The other faced charges including credit card fraud, credit card larceny, forgery, possession of burglary tools, grand larceny, contempt of court and probation violation.

Officials with the sheriff's office said charges related to the escape were pending.

Natalie Neysa Alund covers trending news for USA TODAY. Reach her at nalund@usatoday.com and follow her on Twitter @nataliealund.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Inmates found at Virginia IHOP after escaping Newport News jail cell