Last Updated on July 30, 2014 11:29 pm
*Special thanks to Avery County Sheriff Kevin Frye for providing WataugaRoads.com exclusive details on the situation involving the two escaped inmates on Tuesday July 29*
Statement from Sheriff Kevin Frye:
“I sincerely wish to thank everyone for their calls, thoughts and prayers offered during the recent incident involving two inmates who planned and conspired to escape custody.
The detective involved is fine other than a pump knot on his head, black eye and very bruised ego.
Believe me when I say no one is more upset this happened than he is. The facts are he has dealt with both of these young men many times in the past and they have always cooperated in investigations once caught and have assisted this detective in the past to recover stolen property.
He allowed the past to allow himself to become too comfortable, and it could have easily cost him his life, we are just thankful to a merciful God that did not happen.
The two had broke into Famous Louise's Rockhouse Restaurant and said they had broke into more homes in Avery County and had stolen property stashed away in a house.
We know now this was a ploy to get the detective into a position where they could take advantage of the first break in concentration. This happened at the house where they attacked him, took his service weapon and pistol whipped him and held his gun to his head, then made an escape.
I am sorry for our allowing this to happen and allowing two armed arrestees to escape. I thank God for not letting anyone get hurt after the escape and for these two being captured within 12 hours. Again thanks for the hundreds of calls of support and concern, you will never know how much it means. We truly live in the best county in the state.”
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*backstory provided by WJHL – Johnson City*
AVERY COUNTY, NC (WJHL) – News Channel 11 has learned the escaped inmates who assaulted an Avery County deputy and stole his truck at gunpoint have been found.
Cousins, Calvin Lee Metcalf, 20, Bakersville, NC, and Phillip Nicholas Metcalf, 25,were arrested by police in Calhoun, GA.
The duo had been on the run since 4:00 p.m. Tuesday afternoon.
Details of their arrests are still coming into the newsroom. We'll post the latest developments as soon as it becomes available.
Previous version:
The McDowell County Sheriff's Office just released more information about the search for the two western North Carolina escaped inmates who are being considered armed and dangerous.
The inmates, Calvin Lee Metcalf, 20, Bakersville, NC, and Phillip Nicholas Metcalf, 25, Spruce Pine, assaulted a deputy in Avery County around 4 p.m. Tuesday, according to the McDowell County Sheriff's Office.P
“They were being held in McDowell County on Mitchell County break-in charges,” said Richelle Bailey, Public Information Assistant for the McDowell County Sheriff's Office. “They were taken by Avery County deputies Tuesday to Avery Co. as part of an investigation. They reportedly assaulted an Avery officer and managed to escape.”
Calvin and Phillip Metcalf are thought to be driving a 2011 gray Dodge 4-door truck with a camper cover, tinted windows, and black running boards. The license plate number is AEW-7350.
An Avery County, NC dispatched told News Channel 11 the escaped inmates are cousins.
If you see them, officers advise you call 9-1-1 immediately.
Previous version:
Law enforcement in two states were searching for two inmates who reportedly stole a North Carolina sheriff's office vehicle at gunpoint Tuesday afternoon.
According to a dispatcher with Avery County, cousins Phillip Metcalf, 25, and Calvin Metcalf, 21, were being held in McDowell County on larceny charges. They were taken to Avery County on Tuesday afternoon to show the location of some stolen property, which was supposed to be in the area of Bent Road.
While there, the two men somehow managed to steal a 2011 charcoal grey Dodge Ram extended cab truck with a camper top. This was around 3:45 p.m. Tuesday. The vehicle is registered to the Avery County Sheriff's Office.
Carter County Sheriff Chris Mathes confirmed the men stole the detective's vehicle at gunpoint.
The truck reportedly has weapons and a scanner radio. The Metcalfs were considered armed and dangerous.
The men were last seen wearing orange jump suits and were thought to be heading to Mitchell County, North Carolina.
