Two inmates housed in the Sullivan County Correctional Facility tried to escape just after 9 p.m. Sunday, according to a statement released by Leslie Earhart, public information officer with the Sullivan County Sheriff’s Office.
The inmates manipulated one of the ceiling tiles in their cell and climbed up into the ceiling, which triggered an alarm. From there, corrections officers responded to the cell, did a head count and determined two inmates were missing, Earhart said.
The inmates were identified as Daniel Ray Spitzer and Nathan G. Morelock.
Patrol officers as well as the Tennessee Highway Patrol responded and began setting up a perimeter around the building.
Officers climbed into the ceiling but could not see the inmates. At that point, K-9 Evo was brought into the cell. Officers announced that the dog was about to be released into the ceiling, and the inmates immediately spoke up and told the officers they were still up there and would come out. The incident lasted just over an hour, Earhart said.
Spitzer was jailed on charges of aggravated robbery and theft. Morelock was jailed on numerous charges, including aggravated robbery, aggravated assault and especially aggravated kidnapping. Both men now face additional charges including felony escape, Earhart said.