Police capture escaped Bell County inmate, arrest woman who helped him

(WYMT)
Published: Feb. 14, 2019 at 11:07 AM EST
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Updated, Feb. 19

An escaped Bell County inmate is back behind bars.

Middlesboro Police Department got a tip that Rocky Howerton was hiding at the home of Brooklyn Clark.

When Officer Barry Cowan arrived, he said Howerton ran out the door. Cowan gave chase and was able to catch him.

Howerton now faces additional charges of second-degree escape and fleeing or evading police on foot. Clark faces charges for escape, second facilitation.

Original Story, Feb. 14

A Bell County inmate is on the run.

Jailer Gary Ferguson tells us that Rocky Howerton jumped out of a truck during work release Wednesday.

Howerton apparently jumped out and ran away at the intersection of Hwy 441 and 25th Street in Middlesboro, just up from Walmart.

Work release supervisors say all week they had been repairing a ceiling on a little league facility and Wednesday was Howerton's first day.

They say the men were heading back to the jail on Highway 441 when they came to a stop at an intersection.

It was then they say, Howerton jumped out of the vehicle and ran.

"He just open the door and jumped out the back door and one of my other inmates said 'that boy just jumped out and run Rick,'" says Ricky Eastridge, work release supervisor.

We are working on finding out what his original charges were, but the jailer tells us Howerton will now face a felony charge for escaping.

Authorities are not sure where he is at right now but do not believe he is dangerous. If you see him please call 911 or your local law enforcement.