Inmate escapes while helping police

Local authorities are searching for a Jefferson County Jail inmate who escaped custody after he was temporarily released to help Fairfield Police officers conduct an unspecified operation.

James Pleas Surber Jr., 25, who was incarcerated on a charge of second-degree theft of a motor vehicle, contacted police claiming to have information regarding an open case. The police department agreed to enlist Surber?s help and conducted the operation around 4 p.m. Tuesday.

Capt. Colin Smith said that during the operation, Surber drove a vehicle that he had access to. He was under surveillance, and he was being followed by police officers. However, Surber sped away, ensuing a brief police chase.

?The chase wasn?t for very long; he got away from them pretty quickly,? said Jefferson County attorney Timothy Dille, adding that the vehicle was later recovered in Ottumwa.

According to a press release from the Jefferson County Attorney?s Office, Surber is currently at large and has now been charged with escape from custody, which is a Class D felony punishable by up to five years in prison.

Dille said Surber has a variety of past charges including burglary, obstruction of justice, fourth-degree criminal mischief, domestic abuse and assault.

?He was being held for stealing a motorcycle,? Dille said.

Surber is 6-foot-1, 141 pounds and has short blonde or strawberry-blonde hair.

Although authorities do not believe he is armed, law enforcement officials urge the public to use caution if any contact with Surber is made.

Report any contact or information concerning Surber to the Jefferson County Law Center at 472-4146.