SALEM, W.Va. — An inmate escaped the low-to-medium security Salem Penitentiary late Friday morning, but was recaptured without making it out of Harrison County.
56-year-old Ira Hyde started his day on work release, serving time out of Wood County for grand larceny and assault.
During the course of his release, Hyde stole a Salem municipal vehicle and fled the area.
He was pulled over in front of the Harrison County Courthouse on W. Main Street in Clarksburg about 25 minutes after his escape. He led Harrison County Sheriff’s deputies on a short chase on foot before his capture.
His escape was timed around 11:20 am. He was recaptured and in custody by 11:45 am according to Lawrence Messina with the Department of Military Affairs and Public Safety.
The Salem City Police Department will charge Hyde with two additional felonies–escape and larceny.
The Harrison County Sheriff’s Department intends to charge him with misdemeanors.