Detainee Escapes Deputy's Custody

Deputies update their side of the story, telling NBCSanDiego the suspect bailed before downtown

Hours after San Diego County sheriff's deputies launched a countywide search for an escaped detainee near the downtown jail, NBCSanDiego has learned the escape happened miles away but went unnoticed.

Dylan Castle, 21, was stopped around 10 p.m. Wednesday for failing to have a light on his bicycle. The deputy said he found meth and a meth pipe on Castle. There was a struggle and the deputy was injured according to Sgt. Tom Pouli. 

Pouli said the deputy handcuffed the suspect and put him in the back of the patrol car then decided to walk a few blocks to a nearby fire station in order to be treated for a thumb sprain.

Some 20 minutes later, the deputy returned to the car, got in and drove downtown assuming Castle was still in the back according to Pouli.

It wasn't until the deputy heard a rattle in the back of the car that the deputy turned around and noticed his suspect was gone Pouli said.

Apparently, Castle was able to slip the handcuffs from his back to his front, roll down the window, unlock the door and run.

The San Diego County Sheriff’s Department initially reported the escaped detainee at Ninth Avenue and Ash Street.

Just before 8 a.m., deputies said a citizen called and reported seeing Castle back in the Santee area.

He was arrested again at the corner of Carlton Hills Boulevard and Carlton Oaks Drive.

Castle will face multiple charges for possession of drugs and for escaping and resisting arrest.

The sheriff's department is not releasing the name of the deputy involved.

Pouli said the deputy obviously made a mistake and the department is looking into the matter but he would not say if the deputy will face any disciplinary action.

Deputies said it is not uncommon for a suspect, especially someone with a smaller build, to slip handcuffs underneath themselves to move them to the front.

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