A Nevada inmate who walked away from custody saw his brief run from authorities end quickly after a coordinated search and a timely tip led law enforcement straight to him, officials said.
Footage shared by the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office shows deputies approaching 23-year-old Chase Orput as he lay shirtless on railroad tracks, just moments before he was taken back into custody.
Investigators said Orput had last been spotted moving southwest while dressed in a black-and-white striped inmate uniform, triggering an overnight search by the Washoe County and Storey County sheriff’s offices.
The break in the case came when someone at a nearby business recognized Orput near Interstate 80 and contacted the Sparks Police Department, authorities said. A police drone then helped guide officers and deputies to the area near mile marker 21.
Chase Orput was taken back into custody after walking away from a Washoe County Sheriff’s Office inmate work crew. (Washoe County Sheriff’s Office)
Medical personnel evaluated Orput at the scene before he was returned to the Washoe County Detention Facility. Officials said he is expected to face additional charges related to the escape.
According to the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office, Orput was found at about 1 p.m. Tuesday, nearly 24 hours after he left a Washoe County Sheriff’s Office inmate work crew around 1:30 p.m. Monday.
Authorities credited the citizen’s report with providing the key lead that allowed Sparks police and Washoe County deputies to rapidly focus their search. Sparks police also used a drone to monitor the area from above as deputies moved in.
Video released by the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office shows Chase Orput lying shirtless on railroad tracks before deputies took him into custody. (Washoe County Sheriff’s Office)
“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.”
A Washoe County Sheriff’s Office patrol vehicle. (Washoe County Sheriff’s Office)
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.
