A Nevada inmate's brief escape concluded on railroad tracks Tuesday afternoon, approximately 24 hours after he absconded from a Washoe County Sheriff's Office work crew. Chase Orput, 23, was found lying shirtless on the tracks near mile marker 21.
Authorities said Orput was last seen heading southwest in a black-and-white striped inmate uniform. An overnight search involving the Washoe County and Storey County sheriff's offices was launched. A citizen from a nearby business spotted Orput near Interstate 80 and alerted the Sparks Police Department. The department's drone assisted officers and deputies in pinpointing his location.
Orput was medically evaluated at the scene before being transported back to the Washoe County Detention Facility, where he is expected to face additional escape charges. He had been serving a 90-day jail sentence for misdemeanor charges related to possession of drug paraphernalia and failure to maintain proof of insurance.
Washoe County Sheriff Darin Balaam credited the successful apprehension to the collaboration between law enforcement agencies and community vigilance. "We also want to thank the citizen who recognized Mr. Orput and immediately contacted law enforcement. Their quick actions contributed directly to this successful outcome," Balaam stated, also thanking the Sparks Police Department and Storey County Sheriff's Office for their assistance.