An Ohio man accused of escaping from a work release assignment at a Saint Clair church earlier this month waived his right to a preliminary hearing Tuesday, sending his case to Schuylkill County Court.
Ryan Yingst, 37, of Lake Milton, Ohio, waived the hearing before Magisterial District Judge Edward Lewis. He is charged with escape, flight to avoid apprehension, and evading arrest on foot.
Yingst was serving a sentence at Schuylkill County Prison and was assigned through the work release program to remodel floors at Saint Clare of Assisi Church on E. Hancock St., police say. Around 9:30 a.m. Oct. 9, an adult probation officer called the Saint Clair police station to report that Yingst had escaped his custody.
An off-duty officer later spotted a man matching Yingst’s description on Tunnel Rd., heading toward the Tiger’s Den gas station, according to police. A Saint Clair officer on patrol found the man on Tunnel Rd., and Yingst ran east into a wooded area, ignoring the officer’s orders to stop. He was taken into custody after a short foot pursuit.
Court records show Yingst recently had his parole revoked from a 2015 conviction on a felony charge of possession with intent to deliver.
Yingst is being held in Schuylkill County Prison on $150,000 bail.
ORIGINAL ARTICLE: Police: Escapee from Schuylkill County Prison Work Release Program Captured Friday Morning
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