Neighbors Say It Took Hours For Notification About Missing Inmate

Neighbors said on Tuesday that it took hours for officials to notify them of a missing inmate from the Fairfield County Jail annex.

According to the Fairfield County Sheriff’s Office, Jeramiah Searles was being held at the annex, located at 5955 Revenge Rd., near the Southeastern Correctional Institution in Lancaster, when he scaled a fence and escaped.

Investigators said that they discovered that Searles, 31, was missing at about 11:30 p.m. Monday, 10TV’s Jason Frazer reported.

Neighbor Mike Tharp said that it took nine hours for the Fairfield County Sheriff’s Office to notify him of the escape that occurred less than a quarter mile from his home.

“If they would have called me last night when they knew he was gone, I would have been watching those cars out there,” Tharp said.

Neighbor Keith Hill said that he was concerned that no one told him.

“It’s somewhat of a concern,” Hill said. “It should have only taken about an hour or an hour and a half.”

Fairfield County Sheriff Dave Phalen told 10TV that he had already launched an internal investigation into how Searles was able to escape and if there was a problem notifying neighbors.

Phalen said that he could not confirm when calls were made to homeowners, but said that he would make changes if they were needed.

“It just boggles my mind to think he just went up and over that razor wire fence,” Tharp said.

Investigators on Tuesday night had expanded their search to four counties including Perry, Hocking and Logan.

Neighbors said that they would take precautions until Searles was found.

“I’ve checked around the house and everything, checked inside the garage,” Hill said.

Tharp said that he also was checking his doors to make sure that they were locked and checking on his neighbors to make sure everyone was safe.

“I hope he’s caught,” Tharp said.

Anyone with information about Searles is asked to call the sheriff’s office tip line at 740-652-7911.

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