***UPDATE*** Escaped Inmate Still On The Loose

The search is still on for an escaped Zanesville inmate.

Eric Harris, 22, convicted of domestic violence, petty theft and counterfeiting drugs,  was picking up trash on Hamline and Eastman Street when a red car pulled up and he jumped in.

"It is very rare, but occasionally we will have someone walk away from a work crew," says Jail Administrator, Captain Kenneth Miller.

Matt Phillips, the Director of Litter Prevention and Recycling, was watching over the work crew and saw Harris take off. He says in his 13 years of working with inmates only five people have attempted to escape. Phillips believes the escape is unplanned and Captain Miller agrees that it was most likely someone passing by that recognized Harris.

"Usually they(the inmates) don’t know where they are working from one day to the next, so I don’t know if someone saw the crew out and made contact that way, we are not sure how he(Harris) made contact with him(the accomplice to the escape)," says Capt. Miller.

Captain Miller and Matt Phillips both say there will be no change to the current inmate litter prevention program. A warrant is being issued for Harris.

If you have any information on the whereabouts of Eric Harris call ZPD at 740-455-0700.

Katie Jeffries
KJeffries@whizmediagroup.com