WSPA 7NEWS

Deputies continue to search for escaped inmate in Union Co.

UNION COUNTY, S.C. (WSPA) – Deputies are continuing to search for an inmate who escaped Friday night in Union County.

According to the Union County Sheriff’s Office, 44-year-old David Paul Strickland, of Union, escaped from the detention center on Jonesville Highway around 10 p.m.

Strickland was in jail on multiple charges, including possession of a stolen vehicle, from the sheriff’s office and South Carolina Highway Patrol, deputies said.

“What we know from the video we have is he actually took a blanket, threw it over the fence and over the razor wire, and jumped over the fence,” explained Sheriff Jeff Bailey.

Deputies immediately began searching the area behind the detention center and brought in K9s and a helicopter. Bailey said his team believes Strickland is still in Union County and traveled to the area of Highway 18 and Highway 176.

“He went across the dam toward the two plants that are over in that area,” said Bailey. “There’s a lot of people in that area and a lot of cars.”

Deputies and agents with the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) searched throughout the weekend. On Sunday, they found Strickland’s jumpsuit in a field. Bailey said they also found evidence that he broke into a building and abandoned cars in a junkyard to look for clothes and food.

“Keep your doors locked,” advised Bailey. “Keep your cars locked. Make sure your keys are not left in the ignition. If he’s in the area, he will take the vehicle. Be careful. Watch your surroundings. Be aware of things around you at night. Anything you might see, give us a call.”

Bailey said he does not believe Strickland had help escaping. According to the sheriff’s office, another inmate attempted to escape but was unsuccessful.

Strickland has been charged with escape and placed in the National Crime Information Center database.

The Union Public Safety Department, York County Sheriff’s Office, Jonesville Police Department and SLED are assisting in the search to find Strickland.