An inmate who escaped from the Warren County Regional Jail on August 28, 2009 was captured two weeks ago at a residence in Monroe County where he had reportedly been living since his escape.

Tony R. Barnett, 27, reportedly walked away from a work release program at the Housing Authority in Warren County where he was being held on several traffic violations. However, his criminal history shows a long list of earlier drug arrests.

According to Kentucky State Police Trooper Daniel Stephens, KSP received a tip that Barnett was living on Bethlehem Church Road, and he and Monroe County Sheriff Roger Barlow went to the home Wednesday, May 11, to see if they could locate him. Upon arrival, Stephens said, they saw Barnett out in the yard and took him into custody without incident.

Barnett was taken to Monroe County Jail where he was held until officials from Warren County arrived to take him back to Bowling Green. He is currently lodged in Warren County Regional Jail on a $25,000 bond.

According to officials, Barnett is charged with escape, second degree; burglary, third degree; criminal mischief, first degree; bail jumping, first degree; possession of a controlled substance, first degree-first offense; manufacturing methamphetamine, first offense and unlawful possession of a meth precursor.

All charges other than the escape and bail jumping charges are a result of parole violation (parole violated when he escaped) from an earlier conviction.

************************

Officials with the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office are investigating a vandalism case that was first called as a possible burglary in progress.

According to MCSO Deputy Lucas Geralds, the incident occurred Monday, May 9 at a home owned by Danny R. Gerald at 91 P. Bowles Road. A neighbor called county dispatch and reported that he had seen a light on in an upstairs window when no one was home, and that he had witnessed someone running from the residence.

Upon arrival, Deputy Geralds checked the residence and found a significant amount of damage both inside and outside the residence. He reported that the front door, several windows and a large amount of personal property were broken inside the house and that the interior had been ransacked. He also noted that the back door had been slightly damaged and that a rear screen door had been destroyed.

Outside the home, Geralds said a propane tank had been damaged and the copper line leading to it had been cut. Also, an outside television satellite receiver dish and phone box had been damaged.

In what officials are saying is probably a related case from one day earlier, a 2001 Jeep SUV was vandalized at 700 P. Bowles Road. MCSO Deputy Jerry Pitcock reported that the SUV belonged to Helen Geralds and that someone had gone through both glove boxes and thrown everything out on the ground, pulled off the door panels and broken the console. However, nothing was taken.

Geralds stated that she had heard several car doors shut before someone rang her doorbell. However, she said, when she asked who was at the door and got no answer she dialed 911 for assistance.

The investigation in both cases is ongoing and the sheriff’s office asks anyone with information to contact them at 270-487-6622, or the anonymous tip line at 270-487-0601.