Escaped suspect gives up to police
A Washington County man was on the run for seven hours after he escaped police custody by walking out of the back door of a district justice’s office before arraignment on charges of driving under the influence Friday morning. Mark James Lexie, 36, of 514 Fourth Ave., New Eagle, finally turned himself over to police after a search led by the Belle Vernon River Patrol, state police helicopter and Fayette County Sheriff’s Department dog team.
Belle Vernon Police Chief John Hartman said he didn’t consider Lexie a “bad news bear or a desperado,” but believed that he “should be treated with caution.”
He said a thorough background check showed no reason for Lexie’s escape.
“I don’t know what he thinks he’s going to accomplish,” Hartman said.
According to District Justice Jesse Cramer, Lexie was in his office to be arraigned at 8:45 a.m. on charges of driving under the influence, resisting arrest and other summary charges.
Cramer said when arresting officer John Loughner left the hearing room to give Cramer’s secretary some paperwork, Lexie, who police said was handcuffed at the time, fled out the door located in the back of the hearing room.
Belle Vernon police pulled Lexie over at approximately 2 a.m. Friday after he allegedly ran a stop sign at Long Alley and First Street. Harman said Lexie, who smelled of alcohol, gave chase and resisted arrest.
According to the affidavit, Lexie was forced to the ground by police after trying to strike (Loughner) in the face and body. Hartman said Loughner received injuries to his ankle and left arm in the struggle.
Loughner arrested Lexie and took him to Monongahela Valley Hospital in Carroll Township, where Lexie refused a blood-alcohol test.
Loughner then took Lexie to Masontown for arraignment in night court, but the computers were down. Loughner then took Lexie back to the Belle Vernon police station to wait for Cramer’s office to open.
While in police custody, the affidavit said, Lexie was “uncooperative,” using profane language and being disruptive.
During the search, dogs lead police to 215 Water St. in the borough, where, according to Hartman, Lexie had acquaintances. But Lexie was not there.
Hartman put the search party on standby when police received a phone call from Lexie’s attorney, Ray Amatangelo, at approximately 2 p.m., saying Lexie would turn himself in. Hartman said Lexie was in the Monongahela area when he made the call to his attorney. Lexie arrived at the magistrate’s office at 3:20 p.m.
Hartman escorted Lexie into the magistrate’s office and told him to “relax” as he was rushed by the media. Lexie put his arm in front of his face to hide from media cameras. His arm had brush burns and scrapes and his right eye appeared to be blackened when he removed his mirrored sunglasses.
Lexie said he drove his mother’s car to Cramer’s office. He was not handcuffed when he arrived at the magistrate’s office. Hartman said he was told the handcuffs had been “destroyed.”
Lexie was arraigned at 4 p.m. for driving under the influence, resisting arrest, escape, aggravated assault and other summary citations. He was taken to Fayette County Prison after he failed to post a $30,000 percentage bond.
Lexie told Cramer he moved back to the Mon Valley area three months ago after living in the state of Indiana for seven years.
Cramer said in the 20 years he’s been magistrate, two people have escaped out the back door.
“It happens, but it doesn’t’ happen very often,” he said.