BUTLER, Pa. (EYT) — Authorities say the Memorial Day weekend manhunt suspect who allegedly tied up an 82-year-old woman and threatened to kill her during a home invasion escaped law enforcement on Monday.
According to a published article by WPXI, Butler County Sheriff Mike Slupe said an inmate—29-year-old Damean Michael Felmlee, of Parker—somehow broke free from law enforcement while being transported the magistrate’s office in downtown Butler for a court appearance.
He was captured a few blocks away.
The incident happened around noon on Monday, August 19.
The magistrate’s office said Damean Felmlee escaped state police custody around 12:45 p.m., right before his preliminary hearing, which was scheduled for 1 p.m.
The sheriff said the inmate was caught a few blocks away, according to WPXI.
Felmlee was involved in an incident on Monday, May 6, around 11:32 a.m., when police were dispatched to a residence on McCommons Lane, in Brady Township, Butler County, for a home invasion armed robbery that had just occurred in the caller’s home. The caller was identified as a known 82-year-old female.
Felmlee and his accomplice, Herbert Dale Zellefrow Jr., of Rimersburg, walked the victim to her bedroom and zip-tied her hands behind her back and ordered her to sit on the bed.
On Friday evening, May 24, a manhunt for Felmlee ensued after he evaded Pennsylvania State Police troopers in a pursuit across Clarion County. Felmlee reportedly crashed his vehicle near the intersection of Arnold Avenue and State Route 66 in Farmington Township, Clarion County, before fleeing on foot.
Clarion-based State Police issued a statement advising residents to exercise caution and remain indoors as Felmee was deemed “armed and dangerous.”
On Saturday evening, May 25, area state police set up a staging area near Briar Hills Rustic Furniture located near the intersection of State Route 36 and Laurel Lane. The search for Felmlee continued throughout the evening into early Sunday morning.
Police used a helicopter to assist in the search, but it was eventually called off due to inclement weather.
Felmlee was seen by the police and residents several times throughout the pursuit but continued to avoid being captured.
On Sunday morning, May 26, Clarion-based State Police Communications Operator Steven Kostok confirmed to exploreClarion.com that Felmlee had been apprehended
Read more on the case against Felmlee in the articles listed below.
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