Wanted man caught after escaping from Towaoc jail

Wanted man caught after escaping from Towaoc jail

Sept. 19, 2000

JOURNAL STAFF REPORT

A Ute Mountain man wanted in Montezuma County for a felony and detained in the Towaoc jail for a liquor violation escaped Sunday, prompting a four-hour search resulting in his capture.

Just after 6 a.m. Harley Jay Frost, 42, managed to escape from an outside yard after scaling a tall fence topped with razor-wire that caused severe cuts on his arm and leg.

After becoming entangled in the wire, Frost was apprehended by Detention Supervisor Keith Elliott, who helped to extricate him. But once clear of the sharp wire, Frost continued his flight to freedom, jumping down and eluding authorities using search dogs.

Thanks to the cooperation of local citizens, Frost was apprehended at a Towaoc residence several hours later, sent to Southwest Memorial Hospital to be treated for injuries suffered during the escape and re-jailed on a $10,000 bond, according to the police report.

He is charged with escape, and faces an extradition hearing for felony menacing and disorderly conduct in Montezuma County, the report says.