Deputies: South Carolina inmate escapes county jail using pencil, is caught minutes later
By Zach Rainey
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CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, South Carolina (WYFF) — A man is facing new charges after deputies say he escaped the Chesterfield County Detention Center using a pencil, although the attempt didn’t last long as he was captured minutes later.
The Chesterfield County Sheriff’s Office said 30-year-old Charles Alexander Dieterich of New York was arrested back in June on the following charges:
Possession, Concealment, Sale, or Disposal of a Stolen Vehicle valued at more than $2,000 but less than $10,000 Manufacture/Possession of a Schedule I, II, or III Controlled Substance with Intent to Distribute, 1st Offense Failure to Stop for a Blue Light, 1st Offense
We are told that Dieterich pleaded guilty to those charges on Aug. 13, 2026, and was sentenced to time served. Dieterich remained in custody at the Chesterfield County Detention Center due to an active hold for charges in North Carolina.
Law enforcement said that, at the time of the escape, a waiver of extradition had not been signed due to Dieterich refusing to do so.
Authorities say Dieterich escaped from the detention center around 4:20 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 1.
Deputies said he was housed in the B-Work Camp, which is in the older portion of the detention center, which was constructed in 1972.
Deputies believe Dieterich manipulated the cell door by lifting the door enough to place a pencil into the locking mechanism, allowing him to slide the door open.
After escaping his cell, Dieterich traveled through the kitchen area of the detention center and exited through an unlocked door. The sheriff’s office said this door is routinely used by jail trustees assigned to kitchen duties, including taking trash outside. Dieterich then scaled the fence and barbed wire, sustaining cuts during the escape.
While making their rounds, guards noticed that the cell door was ajar. Other inmates told the staff that Dieterich had escaped. The staff notified deputies around 4:40 p.m. and they arrived within minutes.
According to the sheriff’s office, deputies made contact with Dieterich near the Chesterfield County Shop on Jones Road. While attempting to take him into custody, Dieterich assaulted one of the deputies. He was then taken to McLeod Health Cheraw for the cuts from the barbed wire. Once Dieterich was medically cleared, he was taken back to the detention center.
The sheriff’s office said that immediate security measures were implemented after the issue with the cell door was discovered.
We are told that Dieterich faces several charges related to the incident, including unlawful escape, resisting arrest, assaulting a police officer, and malicious injury to personal property.
Chesterfield County Sheriff Cambo Streater’s Statement “Any escape from our detention center is a serious matter, and we are conducting a full review of how this occurred. While our deputies were able to locate and take Dieterich back into custody within minutes of being notified, our responsibility does not end with his capture. Our detention center is an aging facility, with portions dating back to 1972. This incident identified a security vulnerability that an inmate was able to manipulate and exploit. Immediate precautions were put in place, and we are addressing the issue to prevent another incident.
“I want the public to know we will be transparent about what occurred. We will review our facility, procedures, and security measures and make any changes necessary to protect our correctional officers, inmates, and the citizens of Chesterfield County. I am thankful for the quick response of our detention staff, dispatchers, and deputies who worked together to get Dieterich back into custody.”
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