Chris Banyas
Staff Writer
At approximately 1:45 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 21, Nathaniel Yabeney escaped from Fort Hall corrections officers.
Yabeney was in the area of the Pocatello Regional Medical Center for treatment when he escaped but soon made his way into the area of the Idaho State University campus.
“I can assure you if he would have been our prisoner, at the very least we handcuff them behind their back and if they’re being treated at the hospital we generally handcuff them to the gurney,” said Lt. Paul Manning, public information officer for the Pocatello Police.
The escape was not the first of the day police had to deal with.
“That was actually the second one of the day. Like an hour and a half before, Fort Hall Corrections was down here with a juvenile and they had him at the hospital and he got away. We had to catch him,” said Manning.
A description of Yabeney and the escape was quickly sent out by Pocatello Police.
“I was notified by the shift commander, he’s the lieutenant that’s over patrol during that shift. He wanted to send out a reverse 911, so I showed him how to do that,” said Manning. “Then we had a conversation if public safety had been notified and he said no, so I emailed the information to Steve Chatterton.”
Eventually Yabeney entered a residence and, when confronted by the homeowner, fled back outside.
“At that point we notify as many people as we can, particularly in the university area because that’s where he was last seen. A lot of people don’t lock their doors during the day and so you send out that notification,” said Manning.
Yabeney was caught by the Pocatello Police shortly after 9 p.m. Monday. A citizen called in to report seeing a man wearing orange shoes after hearing about the escape through the media.
“This kind of goes back to the Boston Marathon thing but you know that cliché you hear, if you see it report it? A lot of major crimes are solved and a lot of people get apprehended because they go with their gut,” said Manning.
Yabeney was serving time for domestic-related charges, as well as for eluding police. There were also warrants for his arrest in Bannock County.
Other than reporting suspicious activity if seen, Manning had this to say regarding what people can do to protect themselves and their property:
“That’s the biggest thing, is that most of your crimes are crimes of opportunity. The short answer is just lock your stuff up.”
