Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Hope Youth Escapes From Jail

A 17-year-old Hope youth escaped from the Nevada County Jail Sunday afternoon.

The youth, Ben Perkins, had been apprehended Monday, April 8, in connection with the theft of a 1995 Camaro Z-28 owned by Lori Quillen of Rosston, and a 1988 GMC pickup reportedly stolen from Hope.

According to Jim Westmoreland, criminal investigator with the Prescott Police Department and Nevada County Sheriff's Office, the pickup was found near the Quillen residence.

Perkins, Westmoreland said, was picked up by authorities in Ouachita County on Tuesday, April 9, while driving the Quillen vehicle.

He was returned to Nevada County, where he was charged as an adult with theft of property over $2,500, a class B felony.

Perkins appeared in court for his first appearance Thursday, April 11, where his bond was set at $25,000 by Eighth Judicial District Judge Jim Gunter.

However, Perkins reportedly climbed over the fenced exercise area at the NCSO at about 5:15 p.m. Sunday.

He is described as being 6-2 to 6-4, weighing 190 pounds, having brown hair and green eyes.

Nevada County Sheriff Harold Vines said "Narco," the NCSO drug dog, was put on Perkins' trail, but lost it after about six blocks.

"We feel he got into a vehicle," Vines said. "This person will also be charged with escape."

A green vehicle with a female driver was seen circling the block around the NCSO shortly before the escape.

Vines and Westmoreland said Perkins could be in either Union, Lafayette or Hempstead counties.

He also faces escape charges once apprehended again.

A 1985 Chevrolet S-10 pickup was reported stolen March 23, 1996, and was recovered by Camden Police Saturday, April 13.

The vehicle was owned by Ronny Henry of Rosston. His brother, Kenneth Henry, was picked up by the CPD.

Ken Henry was returned to the Nevada County Jail and is being held on a parole warrant. He faces charges of theft of property over $2,500.

Three Rosston area homes were burglarized sometime Friday, Westmoreland said.

He said all three had similar methods used to gain entry, and identical footprints were found at two of the three homes.

Items stolen include a videocassette recorder and two shotguns.