Teen suspect flees Namwon detention cell, caught within 10 minutes

A teenage suspect held at the Namwon Police Station detention facility in North Jeolla Province escaped Monday but was recaptured within about 10 minutes.

The suspect, identified only as A, 18, had been detained on theft charges when he fled the facility at around 2:45 p.m. Police caught him near the station's main entrance at around 2:56 p.m.

A had stepped out of his cell into the corridor, telling guards he wanted to read a book. Noticing the detention area entrance was open, he bolted outside. Some police stations keep books on hand to help detainees manage stress. Detention facilities at police stations hold suspects for up to 10 days from the date of detention before transferring them to prosecutors.

A detention officer had briefly left the entrance door open to allow passage. An officer who witnessed A fleeing shouted and gave chase, and other staff who heard the commotion joined the pursuit. A was found hiding near the station's main entrance and taken back into custody.

The North Jeolla Provincial Police Agency said it has launched an internal investigation into the circumstances of the escape and whether escort protocols were followed.

Under Article 145 of the Criminal Act, a person lawfully arrested or detained who escapes faces up to one year in prison. The penalty increases to up to seven years under aggravated escape provisions if the suspect destroys detention equipment or facilities, uses violence or threats against others, or escapes in concert with at least one other person.