Sheriff says inmate who escaped Smith County transport van Tuesday faces added charges

TYLER, Texas (KLTV) - An inmate is in custody after allegedly escaping from a transport van in Tyler.

According to Smith County Sheriff Larry Smith, a jailer was transporting an inmate, identified as Timothy Chappelle, from the low-risk facility (north jail) to the main facility downtown.

The transport van was stopped at a red light on Gentry Parkway when the inmate kicked out the window, jumped out, and ran.

Smith said Chapelle broke into two houses on Wisteria Drive. At least one house was occupied.

Smith said Chapelle was originally only facing felony criminal mischief charges. He will now also be charged with escape and two charges of burglary of habitation.

Poor upfitting on the van is being blamed for the escape, Smith said.

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