Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, November 17, 1993 TAG: 9311170229
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Landmark News Service
DATELINE: LENGTH: Short
Michael Hampton Sonner, 25, escaped from the Davidson County Jail while guards were searching a cell for a radio Tuesday morning.
Three guards moved Sonner and 22 other inmates out into a hallway while they searched. An air conditioner in the hallway was pushed out, and Sonner went out the hole, authorities said.
Dan Haga, chief deputy of the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office, said his department was notified of the escape. The woman is not staying at her home, Haga said.
Hazel Sonner, Michael Sonner's stepmother, didn't sound very surprised to hear her 25-year-old stepson had escaped.
"Out again," she said. "I got the call [Tuesday] morning."
Hazel Sonner said Michael called an aunt Monday, asking for shoes and money.
Officers at the county jail where Sonner had been until Monday said they saw no signs indicating he wanted to escape again, and they weren't warned that Sonner was an escape risk.
Sonner first escaped Sept. 14 when he changed names, clothes, vehicles and destinations to elude authorities for five days as he headed to Moses Lake, Wash. He was captured in Montana when he stepped off a Greyhound bus.
Police believe Sonner broke into at least two houses, stole vehicles and sexually assaulted the Montgomery County woman during his September escape.
Staff writer Kathy Loan contributed information to this story.
by CNB