State Inmate Escapes, Assaults Officer and Steals Patrol Car
By Mollie Reeves
08-12-03
Lucedale, MS – A state inmate housed at the George County Regional Correctional Facility slipped away from the jail and managed to steal a patrol car Saturday morning. The inmate was recaptured a few hours later, but not before he wrecked the sheriff’s department vehicle.
Robert L. McKee, 30, 1912 Live Oak St., Pascagoula, was working in the kitchen area of the jail Saturday morning. From a preliminary report, it is believed that sometime after the 7 a.m. inmate count, McKee climbed the perimeter fence, cutting his right arm on razor wire in his escape, George County Chief Deputy john Keel said.
Authorities believe McKee walked nearby railroad tracks south to Evanston Road, then headed south on Miss. 613.
A 911 call came into the George County Sheriff’s Department around 9 a.m. The caller reported a suspicious black male walking on Miss. 613 near Union Baptist Church, Keel said.
Deputy Brenda Cowart responded to the call and approached the man, unaware that he was an escapee.
McKee allegedly gave Cowart false information about his identity, and then a struggle began. Cowart managed to radio for backup. The suspect fled in Cowart’s patrol car, striking a passing vehicle as he left the scene, heading south on Miss. 613 then east on Miss. 612.
Investigator Ronnie Lambert was off duty, but heard the radio traffic and call for backup. Lambert spotted the stolen car on Miss. 612 and a pursuit began.
The suspect attempted a block Lambert’s path when he tried to pass him. Then as Lambert got beside the vehicle, the suspect attempted to ram his car, Keel said.
The chase continued at about 70 mph, until the suspect lost control of the stolen car and spun sideways, ending up in a ditch. At that time, McKee was apprehended by Lambert, but had still not been identified while at the hospital, and it was determined that he had escaped from the correctional facility.
Correctional Officer, Richard Palmer and Keel, following his treatment. returned McKee to the jail. He has served 192 days in the Mississippi Department of Corrections following a conviction for possession of a controlled substance.
The stolen patrol car was heavily damaged and had to be towed from the scene. The passing vehicle, struck by McKee as he began his flight, received minor damage. The name of the driver was not released. Lambert’s patrol car was not damaged.
The Mississippi Highway Patrol was called in to conduct an investigation after McKee made allegations that the cut on his right arm was inflicted by Lambert during his arrest, Keel said.