Neighborhood on Edge After Jail Escape
By: Jessica Reyes
Updated: November 23, 2011
A high speed chase after an inmate on a mission has Abilene residents on edge.
"It's kind of scary because my little sister and brother are here," said Chastity Ladd, who lives near the jail.
Ladd watched as police searched for Dustin Bates around the Taylor County Jail. Bates led police on a chase reaching speeds up to 85 miles an hour before he was caught at Interstate 20 and Loop 322.
"I was freaking out about it, because you never know, somebody else could get out too," Ladd said.
Bates' escape is the second from the Taylor County Jail in 14 months. Inmate Darrell Schenk got out last October when he climbed onto the roof and jumped the fence.
"I was glad they caught him," said Angela Wilson, who works at Kids on Maple Street Daycare.
The daycare was locked down while Schenk was on the loose.
"Lock all the doors, lock the gates. Keep in touch with parents to let them know what's going on," Wilson recalled.
Tuesday night's chase started when Bates stole a maintenance truck from the Abilene State Supported Living Center. Allison Lowery, spokesperson for the Department of Aging and Disability Services, said they're not taking the situation lightly.
"We definitely want to be reviewing a lot of this to make sure the campus is secure," she said.
With two escaped inmates in a little more than a year, people who live around the jail said they'll be doing the same.
"You never know what could have happened," Ladd said.
Bates was originally charged with manufacture and delivery of crystal meth and unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon. He's now also charged with escape, evading arrest, and unauthorized use of a vehicle.
"It's kind of scary because my little sister and brother are here," said Chastity Ladd, who lives near the jail.
Ladd watched as police searched for Dustin Bates around the Taylor County Jail. Bates led police on a chase reaching speeds up to 85 miles an hour before he was caught at Interstate 20 and Loop 322.
"I was freaking out about it, because you never know, somebody else could get out too," Ladd said.
Bates' escape is the second from the Taylor County Jail in 14 months. Inmate Darrell Schenk got out last October when he climbed onto the roof and jumped the fence.
"I was glad they caught him," said Angela Wilson, who works at Kids on Maple Street Daycare.
The daycare was locked down while Schenk was on the loose.
"Lock all the doors, lock the gates. Keep in touch with parents to let them know what's going on," Wilson recalled.
Tuesday night's chase started when Bates stole a maintenance truck from the Abilene State Supported Living Center. Allison Lowery, spokesperson for the Department of Aging and Disability Services, said they're not taking the situation lightly.
"We definitely want to be reviewing a lot of this to make sure the campus is secure," she said.
With two escaped inmates in a little more than a year, people who live around the jail said they'll be doing the same.
"You never know what could have happened," Ladd said.
Bates was originally charged with manufacture and delivery of crystal meth and unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon. He's now also charged with escape, evading arrest, and unauthorized use of a vehicle.
