Escaped prisoner caught in Wadsworth

From left: Escaped Lorain County inmates Steve Carpenter and Johnny L. Brooks Jr. (Credit: Lorain County Sheriff’s Office)

The Wadsworth Police Department received a tip on Dec. 9 around 9:50 a.m. that Steven Carpenter, 37, was observed walking on Main Street near Walnut Street.

Carpenter was one of two inmates who escaped the Lorain/Medina Community Based Correctional Facility by breaking out a window early Wednesday night.

WPD units responded to the area and began searching the surrounding neighborhood. About 10 minutes into their search, and with the tips from local residents, Carpenter was found on East Bergey Street where he was taken into custody without incident.

The 37-year-old was then transferred to the custody of the Lorain County Sheriff’s Office.

“The Wadsworth Police Department is appreciative of the alert citizen who immediately contacted our dispatch center to report Carpenter’s location and for the actions of our patrol officers who quickly responded to the area, which prevented Carpenter the opportunity to further his escape,” WPD Chief Dan Chafin said in a media release.

Meanwhile, Johnny L. Brooks was arrested at a hotel near the 2900 block of Arlington Road in Akron, also on Dec. 9. A woman was also found at this location, who authorities say has been detained “for her possible involvement in the escape and harboring of the fugitives.”

Authorities said Carpenter was incarcerated at LMCBCF for burglary, while Brooks was jailed for possession of drugs.

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