By Phil Anderson
Topeka Capital-Journal
TOPEKA, Kan. — Topeka police were on the lookout Thursday for a prisoner who was en route to Colorado when he allegedly stole the privately owned vehicle being used to transport him while the driver was in a southwest Topeka convenience store Wednesday night.
The prisoner was identified as Dartanin Mitchell, 33, of Grand Junction, Colo.
Police spokeswoman Kristen Veverka said officers were called at 8:01 p.m. Wednesday to the Kicks 66 gas station and convenience store, 3300 S.W. Gage Blvd., on a report of a prisoner stealing the transport vehicle in which he had been a passenger.
The vehicle was reported to have been owned by Security Transport Services, based in Topeka.
Veverka said the prisoner, who was handcuffed and shackled, was able to escape from the rear cage portion of the transport vehicle, described as a maroon Buick automobile.
The prisoner then got into the driver’s seat and took off in the car, which was last seen heading east on Interstate 470 from the S.W. Gage on-ramp.
Police Lt. Steve Purney said the transport vehicle hadn’t been located Thursday evening. He also said detectives have been in contact with Grand Junction, Colo., authorities, which was where he was being transported before his escape.
According to the Grand Junction Sentinel newspaper, Mitchell, along with his wife, had been jailed in Memphis, Tenn., since he was arrested there Oct. 9 while he was driving a van authorities believe was stolen Sept. 24 from the Mesa County Workforce Center in Grand Junction.
Mitchell was free on bond Sept. 24 when authorities allege he targeted the offices of Family First, a parent-mentoring program located inside the Workforce Center.
Mitchell formerly worked as a mentor to young parents at Family First.
According to an arrest affidavit, Mitchell was seen on video surveillance breaking into the offices of Family First shortly after midnight Sept. 24.
A laptop computer and hundreds of dollars in cash were among items missing from the offices, along with a Chevrolet van used by the organization, the affidavit said.
Mitchell had been accused of breaking into the same offices June 3 and stealing hundreds of dollars in cash and vouchers.
Mitchell fled Mesa County after getting out of a Global Positioning System ankle monitor, which he was ordered to wear as a bond condition. The GPS device was found Sept. 26 near the front door of his home.
Mitchell failed to appear in court for a plea hearing Sept. 27.
Mitchell also has been described by authorities as the prime suspect in the death of his infant son, Lucius Lee Mitchell, who died June 12.
Security Transport Services officials had no comment about the incident Thursday afternoon.
Copyright 2011 The Topeka Capital-Journal