Middle River Regional Jail inmate in custody after escaping deputy’s cruiser

AUGUSTA COUNTY, Va. (WHSV) - UPDATE: According to the Augusta County Sheriff’s Office, Shaun Gwin was taken into custody on Thursday. He was captured in Highland County. Officials did not immediately provide any further details.

However, a man who lives in Highland County, told WHSV that Gwin decided to turn himself in.

Marty Engelhardt lives on Cow Pasture Road North. He said he and his wife were sitting on their porch Thursday night when they saw a man in tattered clothes come down the mountain on their property.

Engelhardt said the man told them his car had broken down and he needed a ride or to use their phone.

Engelhardt immediately recognized that it was Shaun Gwin.

“He says, ‘If I start running now, are you going to call the police?’ And then my wife, right away, said, ‘Absolutely.’ So, then he said ‘Aw, hell. I give up. I’m worn out. My jeans are all torn. Look at my legs.’ He showed us his legs all cut up and stuff. He says, ‘I’ve been running for two days. I really screwed up. I shouldn’t have jumped out of that car.’ He said, ‘Just call the police,’” Engelhardt said.

Engelhardt said he never felt threatened by Gwin, and ended up getting him some water and talking with him until the police showed up.

“He was very polite and apologetic, and even when he left, he said ‘thanks for the water and have a good night. Sorry to bother you,’” Engelhardt said. “You could see the lights coming down the road, and he put his arms up in the air.”

After talking with Gwin, Engelhardt learned that he had actually been to that house before. He helped a carpenter work on the house, and he helped put out a brush fire there a couple of years back.

“Also, he told me when he heard he was going to get 10 years in prison, he kind of lost it, and that’s why he jumped out of the car,” Engelhardt said.

We are still waiting to get an official update from the Highland County Sheriff’s Office.

Law enforcement officials are looking for an escaped inmate.

According to a press release from ACSO, officials believe Shaun Gwin is in the area of the county line on Route 250.

Gwin had a court appearance in Highland County this morning and was being transported back to Middle River Regional Jail.

The sheriff’s office said he kicked out the window of a deputy’s vehicle. The deputy was not injured during the escape.

“Shaun Gwin has escaped from Law Enforcement custody. If you see him, notify law enforcement immediately. Do not approach Mr. Gwin”, said Sheriff Ronald Wimer of the Highland County Sheriff’s Office.

Gwin is described as a 34-year-old white man with brown hair and brown eyes. He was last seen wearing an orange MRRJ jumpsuit.

The Bath County Sheriff’s Office is reporting Gwin was able to steal a 2005 Yamaha 4x4 four-wheeler that is camo colored.

If anyone has any information about this incident, please contact the Augusta County Sheriff’s Office at 540-245-5333 or Crime Stoppers at 800-322-2017.

Deputies are also advising to lock your doors and remove all keys from vehicles until he is arrested.

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