SAINT CLAIR — A man who escaped from custody while in handcuffs Monday was apprehended and jailed.
Saint Clair police took Mark Smith, 28, of Saint Clair, into custody about 10:10 a.m. Thursday, acting on tips that he was hiding at the home of Anthony Scott at 304 Cherry St.
Police said Smith was found hiding in an upstairs bedroom and was apprehended with the help of Schuylkill County Adult Probation and Parole agents.
Smith was then arraigned on charges of escape, theft and possession of drug paraphernalia filed by Cass Township police, from whom he escaped three days earlier.
Police said Smith was arraigned by Magisterial District Judge David Rossi, Tremont, and committed to Schuylkill County Prison, unable to post $50,000 straight cash bail.
Cass Township police Patrolman Gerard Daley said he arrested Smith on an outstanding arrest warrant out of Luzerne County Court and subsequently learned he was wanted on an outstanding warrant by Saint Clair police for retail theft.
Daley said Smith was taken to the Saint Clair police station to be turned over to officers there but escaped from a police cruiser, still in handcuffs, while the officer was inside the police station getting paperwork.
Daley said that when Smith was discovered Thursday, he was found with various items of drug paraphernalia. He no longer had the handcuffs he escaped wearing. Police continue to investigate his escape and further charges may be filed.
In connection with the incident, Saint Clair police Chief William Dempsey said charges were filed against Scott as well as a woman, Brittany George, who has no known address.
Both were charged with felony hindering apprehension for their roles in concealing the whereabouts of Smith.
Scott and George will now have to answer to that charge before Magisterial District Judge David A. Plachko, Port Carbon.