© 2024 St. Louis Public Radio
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
Other

Search continues for St. Clair County jail escapee

By AP/KWMU

Belleville, Ill. – A search is under way for an inmate who managed to trick his way out of a Metro East jail.

St. Clair County jail officials said 60-year-old Elijah Muhammad of St. Louis bolted Monday afternoon from the Belleville jail.

He'd been jailed since Friday on $400,000 bond on charges of aggravated battery and home invasion. The alleged crimes took place in Alorton.

Jail superintendent Phillip McLaurin says Muhammad made his getaway after identifying himself as another inmate who was supposed to be released. Muhammad wore that inmate's shirt during the ruse and signed out using that inmate's name.

Muhammad was missing for about 30 minutes before authorities realized what happened.

Other