An escaped Nevada inmate’s short-lived taste of freedom came to an abrupt end after a multi-agency search zeroed in on him with help from a helpful tipster, authorities said.
Video released by the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office shows deputies finding 23-year-old Chase Orput lying shirtless on railroad tracks moments before taking the escaped inmate back into custody.
Authorities said he was last seen heading southwest while wearing a black-and-white striped inmate uniform, prompting an overnight search involving the Washoe County and Storey County sheriff’s offices.
Authorities said a citizen from a nearby business recognized Orput near Interstate 80 and alerted the Sparks Police Department, whose drone helped direct officers and deputies to his location near mile marker 21.
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Orput was evaluated by medical personnel at the scene before being transported back to the Washoe County Detention Facility, where he is expected to face additional escape charges.
The Washoe County Sheriff’s Office said Orput was located around 1 p.m. Tuesday, roughly 24 hours after he walked away from a Washoe County Sheriff’s Office inmate work crew at about 1:30 p.m. Monday.
Authorities said the citizen’s call gave officers a crucial lead, allowing Sparks police officers and Washoe County sheriff’s deputies to quickly narrow in on Orput’s location. Sparks police also deployed a drone to provide aerial support as deputies closed in.
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“This incident demonstrates the value of strong partnerships between our region’s law enforcement agencies and the important role our community plays in public safety,” Washoe County Sheriff Darin Balaam said in a statement.
“We also want to thank the citizen who recognized Mr. Orput and immediately contacted law enforcement. Their quick actions contributed directly to this successful outcome.”
The sheriff also thanked the Sparks Police Department and Storey County Sheriff’s Office for assisting in the search.
Orput had been serving a 90-day jail sentence on misdemeanor charges for possession of drug paraphernalia and failure to show or maintain proof of insurance when he walked away from the inmate work crew, authorities said.
