ST. CLAIR — A Schuylkill County Prison inmate faces escape and related charges after police say he left a work release assignment at a borough church and fled into a wooded area Friday morning.
Ryan Charles Yingst, 37, whose court-listed address is Lake Milton, Ohio, is charged with third-degree felony counts of escape and flight to avoid apprehension, trial or punishment, along with a misdemeanor count of evading arrest or detention on foot.
Police Describe the Work Release Assignment
According to an affidavit of probable cause filed by St. Clair Police, an adult probation officer contacted police around 9:35 a.m. , to report that Yingst was missing from a supervised work assignment.
Police said Yingst was serving a sentence at Schuylkill County Prison and participating in its Vocational Rehabilitation Program, commonly known as work release. His assignment involved remodeling floors at Saint Clare of Assisi Church at 250 East Hancock Street.
Short Foot Pursuit Along Tunnel Road
While searching for Yingst, police received information through Schuylkill County Communications that a man matching his description was walking along Tunnel Road toward the Tiger’s Den gas station. An off-duty police officer had reported the sighting, according to the affidavit.
A responding officer reported spotting Yingst while traveling south on Tunnel Road from West Russell Street. Police allege Yingst ran east into a wooded area and ignored commands to stop after the officer identified himself as a member of the St. Clair Police Department.
Yingst was taken into custody without further incident following a short foot pursuit, police said.
Bail and Preliminary Hearing
Bail was set at $150,000 monetary for the escape charges.
A preliminary hearing is scheduled for , at 11 a.m. before Magisterial District Judge Edward M. Lewis.
The charges are allegations, and Yingst is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.