Adams County, Colorado - Inmate Steals Prison Van, Escapes - He was in Jail for Stealing A Police Car
Tanksley Accused Of Punching Guard

POSTED: 3:27 pm MST January 3, 2006
UPDATED: 8:49 pm MST January 3, 2006

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The Adams County Sheriff's Office and the Commerce City Police Department are searching for an escaped inmate who allegedly assaulted a security guard, then took off in a Colorado Department of Corrections van.  He was in jail for Stealing a Police Car.

Jimmy W. Tanksley, 54, was part of a prison road crew doing road work on the side of Interstate 270 when he punched the security guard, hopped in the vehicle, and left the guard behind, the Adams County Sheriff's Office said.

This occurred On I-270 and York at about 1:15 p.m.

 Tanksley then drove to the area of East 64th Avenue and Poplar Street in Commerce City and dumped the van, authorities said. A cell phone was also recovered.

Neighbors in the area said they saw a Tanksley calmly walking the street, and knocking on doors, asking for a ride.

"There was a knock at the door. The kids hollered, 'Come in.' Usually, it's neighborhood kids and then I heard them say, 'Um, Mom,'" said Rhonda Rispoli.

Rispoli said Tanksley entered her house and told her a neighbor said she would give him a ride to Interstate 25.

"I had no idea. I thought he was one of their relatives or something. He said they sent him to ask me and I am thinking, 'Why are they dumping their relatives on me?'" Rispoli said.

When dozens of officers and deputies showed up with dogs and assault rifles, she knew something really wasn't right.

The dogs lost their scent near 71st and Quebec, so authorities believe he may have been picked up by someone. He has family, relatives, and friends in the Denver metro area and connections in Kansas and Wyoming so could be heading there, authorities said.

Tanksley is from Kansas and may be trying to return to his home, authorities said.

"We are considering this person to be extremely dangerous, extremeley violent," said Adams County Sheriff Sgt. Louis Dixon. "If other officers come into contact with him, they need to be very cautious."

Tanskley was serving time for assaulting another law enforcement officer and stealing his car.

He was serving a 12-year sentence for motor vehicle theft and assault at the Colorado Correctional Center in Golden, Colo. The correctional center, also known as Camp George West, is a medium-security facility.

He has a parole hearing scheduled for February and his estimated parole eligibility date was Friday, Jan. 6.

But authorities say after all that took place on Tuesday, once Tanksley is captured, he won't be elligible for parole.

Tanksley is 5 feet 8 inches tall, 180 pounds, with gray hair and hazel eyes. He was last seen wearing prison-issued gray pants, a gray button-up work shirt and blacked notched boots. He has several scars and tattoos.

Police say if you see him, call 911 immediately. If you know of his whereabouts or have more information to provide, call the CDOC Emergency Support Center at (719) 226-4001 or the Fugitive Location Apprehension Group at (720) 748-5018.

A $2,500 reward is being offered for his capture.

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