By Ashley McLeod, Staff Writer
Oct 17, 2014, 16:58
PRINCE GEORGE — A Hopewell man known as the “Paper Bag Bandit” has been charged after authorities say he planned to escape from Riverside Regional Jail.
Harry Brantley Jr., 26, is currently serving time at the jail for several crimes in the area. During a cell search conducted on May 6, officers found two metal cutting tools with serrated edges inside of his cell.
According to court records, Sgt. William Bain found one of the objects inside of Brantley’s shoe. Officer John Holder discovered another tool in between two pieces of mail belonging to Brantley. Both objects were painted white, serrated metal and four to six inches in length. One of the objects had obvious signs of usage, as the paint had been chipped off.
Upon further inspection of the cell, the officers found that a bar in the perimeter window of the call had been cut in two places.
Brantley was charged with possession of a deadly weapon by a prisoner and felony offender escape without violence.
In a staff statement, another sergeant at the jail had spoken to Brantley after the objects were found. He asked Brantley why he thought he would get away with it, to which Brantley replied: “It’s people on the run that ain’t been found yet, I know how to not be found.”
Brantley also told officers he had begun trying to escape using the metal tools before his cellmate arrived, and had stopped once he came because he did not know or trust him.
During the thorough search of the cell, officers also found two papers, which were a map of the outside of the facility. A letter written by Brantley to one of his friends was also confiscated in which he wrote: “I’m escaping soon probably in the next week or so.”
Brantley will be in court this month for these charges. He is currently serving time for the attempted murder and malicious injury after attempting to rob the owners of K&L Barbeque. The charges stemming from this crime included six felony charges: two counts of using a firearm while attempting a robbery, two counts of attempted robbery, malicious wounding, and use of a firearm while maliciously wounding an individual. He was also convicted for the robbery of a McDonald’s in 2011.
