LEHIGH ACRES, Fla. - A handcuffed man realized one of the rear doors of the patrol car he sat in wasn't locked. Justin Tyler Montgomery decided to try and make a run for it.
According to the report from the Lee County Sheriff's Office, Montgomery and Emma Weaver were trying to break into cars at a Lehigh Acres Wal-Mart.
Deputies found them parked at a nearby Culver's. One of the deputies discovered needles and three plastic baggies along with the two suspects.
Montgomery and Weaver were both read their Miranda Rights. Deputies put them into two separate vehicles.
During the investigation, one of the deputies heard a bang. It turned out to the sound the door made when Montgomery found a way out.
"It makes you realize, 'Uh-oh, I lost a prisoner'," former police chief Walt Zalisko said.
Zalisko read over the LCSO report. He told 4 In Your Corner that the deputy should've made sure both rear doors were locked.
"Anytime a deputy or an officer arrests somebody and places them in the back seat of their vehicle, they should be aware that this person will be anxious to get away," Zalisko said.
The report stated Montgomery realized one of the rear doors was unlocked. According to the narrative, Montgomery told deputies he was afraid of what was going to happen and was desperate to find a way out.
Montgomery didn't get far. He tripped and was detained.
Zalisko told 4 In Your Corner cases like this happen to both deputies and police officers.
"This happens quite a bit. The officers or deputies can become complacent. When they make a lot of arrests, it becomes a routine and they take things for granted," he said.
Montgomery and Weaver are both in custody.
