Giles County inmate escapes in stolen patrol car
Story found on May 4, 2002

PULASKI, Tenn (AP) -- An inmate who overpowered a deputy 
and escaped in his patrol car went to the home of his estranged 
girlfriend where he held authorities at bay for about six 
hours before surrendering. No one was seriously hurt.

Giles County Sheriff Eddie Bass told The Daily Herald of Columbia 
that Justin Mason, 26, was being transported Wednesday from the 
county jail to the Health Department for a psychiatric evaluation. 
He was awaiting trial on an aggravated robbery charge.

When Mason arrived, a health department worker asked the officer
who brought him to remove his handcuffs, Bass said. In the 
process, the inmate attacked the guard, took his gun and stole 
his patrol car.

A sheriffs deputy, aided by an alert citizen, followed Mason to
the house of Mason's estranged girlfriend, Shannon Clifton, and 
called for backup, Bass said.

Negotiators persuaded him to release a 1-year-old boy, believed to 
be his child. Clifton, however, remained in the home. Bass described 
her as "calm, but somewhat frightened."

Authorities heard several shots fired inside the home, but Bass said
no one was injured. Mason surrendered without incident around 4 p.m.

Mason will face further charges resulting from the escape, Bass said.

Pulaski, near the Alabama line, is about 70 miles south of Nashville.


Back