A man who escaped from Schuylkill County sheriff's deputies on June 6 and taken into custody in Berks County the following day waived his right to a preliminary hearing Monday before Magisterial District Judge James K. Reiley, Pottsville.
Jesse A. Wolfe, 30, whose last known address was 6 Blue Mountain Heights, Summit Station, must next appear in Schuylkill County Court on felony charges of burglary, criminal trespass, theft and receiving stolen property along with a misdemeanor charge of escape.
Wolfe ran from two deputies about 4 p.m. while they escorted him and two other inmates to the county courthouse from the prison across the street. He was apprehended about 12:45 a.m. June 7 in a wooded area along the Schuylkill River in Tilden Township while still wearing a prison jumpsuit and handcuffs.
Pottsville police Detective Kirk Becker filed charges relating to the escape.
Becker said that after fleeing from the deputies, Wolfe ran toward the John O'Hara housing projects and subsequently entered the home of Melinda Davidson, 648 John O'Hara St.
He fled that area in a 2000 Oldsmobile van owned by Davidson, who said she did not know that Wolfe took the van after finding the keys and making a call on her cellphone before fleeing.
Becker said it was reported later that Wolfe made contact with a person in Rock, near Pine Grove, where he asked for assistance in getting the handcuffs removed.
After being refused help, Becker said Wolfe again fled in the van until he reached Tilden Township, where the van was later found in a trailer park.
Wolfe was originally arrested June 2 after Schuylkill Haven police chased him on foot through the borough. He fled after officers stopped a vehicle in which he was a passenger and determined there was a warrant for his arrest in Berks County. He was taken into custody without incident about 30 minutes later.
Along with the foot chase and subsequent escape, Wolfe faces charges by Schuylkill Haven police in connection with a high-speed chase through the borough on May 24.
After waiving his right to a hearing, Wolfe was returned to Schuylkill County Prison pending future court action.