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Durango man escapes from La Plata County Jail, remains on the loose

Elias Buck, 22, was being held on suspicion of auto theft

For the second time this year, someone has escaped from the La Plata County Jail.

Buck

Elias Buck, 22, of Durango, scaled a fence behind the kitchen and escaped on foot about 5:30 p.m. Monday, said Chris Burke, spokesman with the Sheriff’s Office. He was discovered missing during a head-count shortly after the escape and remained missing Tuesday night, Burke said.

Buck was in jail on suspicion of motor vehicular theft, a felony.

He was serving as a member of the jail’s trustee program, which allows incarcerated people to perform jobs around the jail to earn “good time.”

He was last seen wearing a jean jacket, an orange beanie and green jail-issued pants.

Buck escaped from the same location where Jonah Barrett-Lesko escaped Sept. 21, Burke said. Barrett-Lesko made news after being arrested on suspicion of having sexual intercourse with a horse at the La Plata County Fairgrounds. He was also suspected in a series of felony-level burglaries.

Burke said the Sheriff’s Office is aware it has a security issue, and the lapse should be resolved with the 2022 budget.

Buck arrived at the jail on Dec. 7 and was being held on $10,000 bail. His next court appearance was a preliminary demand set for Jan. 7.

Anyone who sees Buck or anyone matching his description is asked to call 911 or dispatch at 385-2900.

shane@durangoherald.com



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