Fairfield Jail Inmate Uses Fire Extinguisher In Failed Escape Attempt
FAIRFIELD (CBS SF) -- An inmate tried to escape from the Solano County jail Monday morning, a county sheriff's deputy said.
Joseph Michael Schabert, 24, of Vacaville, was in a tunnel holding area of the jail in Fairfield when he allegedly ran from jail staff around 11:30 a.m., Deputy Daryl Snedeker said.
The tunnel holding area is a series of hallways used to transfer all inmates to courtrooms at the county courthouse in Fairfield.
Schabert ran a short distance and into the secure north holding area of the jail. He was confined to a small locked room when three deputies entered the room through a locked door and confronted him, Snedeker said.
Schabert allegedly discharged a powder fire extinguisher into the deputies' faces, filling the room with powder and reducing visibility, Snedeker said.
One of the deputies was able to shoot Schabert with a Taser and Schabert was subdued after a short struggle, Snedeker said.
The deputies led Schabert out of the building through an emergency exit so they and Schabert could get fresh air, Snedeker said.
Schabert was placed on the ground and held until other deputies arrived to assist, Snedeker said.
The three deputies who were exposed to the fire extinguisher powder were treated at a hospital and released, and Schabert was treated at a hospital for the effects of the Taser and fire extinguisher powder, Snedeker said.
The escape attempt is under investigation to determine if any changes to policies and procedures within the jail are necessary, Snedeker said.
Schabert was arrested by Vacaville police on Feb. 5 for a probation violation and failure to appear on a felony drug case, Snedeker said.
He is expected to face additional felony charges of assault with a deadly weapon, battery on a peace officer, attempted escape from jail and additional probation violations. He is being held under no bail.
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