A newly released security video shows how a South Carolina inmate allegedly used a pencil to manipulate his cell-door locking mechanism before escaping from a detention center earlier this month.

Charles Alexander Dieterich, 30, of New York, escaped from the Chesterfield County Detention Center in Chesterfield, South Carolina, at about 4:20 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 1, according to the Chesterfield County Sheriff’s Office.

Dieterich had been arrested in June and charged with possession, concealment, sale, or disposal of a stolen vehicle valued at more than $2,000 but less than $10,000; manufacture or possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute; and failure to stop for a blue light.

He pleaded guilty to those charges on Aug. 13. Although he received a sentence of time served, he remained in custody because of an active hold involving charges in North Carolina. According to the sheriff’s office, Dieterich refused to sign an extradition waiver.

His cell was located in the B-Work Camp, an older section of the detention center that was built in 1972.

Security Video Captures the Escape

According to the sheriff’s office, newly released security footage shows Dieterich lifting his cell door enough to insert a pencil into the locking mechanism. The move allowed him to slide the door open.

After leaving his cell, Dieterich walked through the kitchen and exited the building through an unlocked door used by inmates assigned to kitchen duties, including those responsible for taking garbage outside.

He then climbed over a fence topped with barbed wire.

During routine rounds, detention staff noticed that the door to the B-Work Camp was open. As staff investigated, other inmates informed them that Dieterich had escaped.

Staff secured the cell and contacted dispatch. Deputies were sent to the area within minutes.

At approximately 4:48 p.m., deputies located Dieterich more than half a mile from the detention center near the Chesterfield County Public Works Shop on Jones Road.

Inmate uses pencil to ESCAPE South Carolina jail cell #shorts #foxnews #us – YouTube

New Charges After His Capture

Dieterich is accused of assaulting a deputy before he was taken back into custody. He now faces additional charges, including unlawful escape, resisting arrest and assaulting a police officer.

He was taken to McLeod Health Cheraw for treatment of cuts he suffered while climbing over the barbed-wire fence. After being medically cleared, he was transported back to the Chesterfield County Detention Center.

The incident prompted the detention center to introduce immediate security measures. One of the precautions involved placing a correctional officer at the entrance to the B-Work Camp housing area overnight.

Sheriff Says Facility Security Is Being Reviewed

Chesterfield County Sheriff Cambo Streater said the escape was being treated seriously and that the circumstances surrounding it would be examined.

“Any escape from our detention center is a serious matter, and we are conducting a full review of how this occurred,” Chesterfield County Sheriff Cambo Streater said in the statement.

Streater said deputies located Dieterich and returned him to custody within minutes of being notified, but added that the sheriff’s office still had to address the security weakness that had allowed the escape to happen.

“While our deputies were able to locate and take Dieterich back into custody within minutes of being notified, our responsibility does not end with his capture. Our detention center is an aging facility, with portions dating back to 1972. This incident identified a security vulnerability that an inmate was able to manipulate and exploit. Immediate precautions were put in place, and we are addressing the issue to prevent another incident.”

The sheriff said the office would examine its procedures and security arrangements and take further steps where necessary.

He said the sheriff’s office will review procedures and security measures and “make any changes necessary to protect our correctional officers, inmates, and the citizens of Chesterfield County.”

The sheriff’s office has not indicated how long the security vulnerability had existed or whether additional changes to the aging facility will be required.

It was unclear whether Dieterich had retained an attorney who could speak on his behalf.