Butte County inmate back in custody after escape, car chase
Seth Ratliff
UPDATED: Tuesday, March 24, 2026 10:25 AM
ARCO, Idaho (KIFI) — An inmate who escaped from the Butte County Jail and led Idaho State Police Troopers on a car chase Monday morning is back in custody.
According to Sheriff Dave Hansen, around 10:05 a.m. Monday, Jeramie L. Rodriguez escaped the jail through a damaged section of chain-link fencing in the inmate recreation yard. Rodriguez had been arrested just the night before on charges of possessing a stolen vehicle.
“Upon being allowed access to the recreation area the following morning, Rodriguez was able to manipulate a damaged portion of the fencing, which made it possible for him to squeeze through to the outside of the contained yard area,” Sheriff Hansen stated in a news release.
Once outside, Rodriguez allegedly stole a nearby parked vehicle that had been left with the keys inside and fled the area.
The vehicle’s owner quickly reported it stolen, allowing Sheriff’s Deputies to track it using its onboard GPS.
Idaho State Police Troopers and Jefferson County Sheriff’s Deputies found the vehicle along Old Butte Highway near Hamer. They attempted to pull Rodriguez over, but he refused to stop, leading to a short car chase.
The chase came to an end after troopers used a tire deflation device, puncturing two of the vehicle’s tires and forcing it to slow to a crawl and stop near Hamer. Rodriguez was taken into custody without further incident. Additional charges are currently pending.
In the wake of the escape, police emphasize that there is no ongoing threat to
This is a developing story. Local News 8 will provide more updates as we learn additional information.