James Douglas Mitchell
LINO LAKES, Minn. – (Aug. 3, 2017) – A Lino Lakes prison inmate has been charged with escaping from custody and four counts of kidnapping.
In May, James Douglas Mitchell hijacked a van that held him and eight other inmates. They were being transferred to other facilities across the state. The driver of the van left the keys in the ignition during the transfer and Mitchell used the opportunity to escape.
He slid open the cab window that separated the prisoners from the drivers seat and drove the vehicle to Mounds View where he let go of other inmates, then ended up in north Minneapolis where he fled on foot.
The inmates who where let go in Mounds View were able to get a hold of a chaplain who called 911. The other inmates will not face any charges. If Mitchell is convicted on all counts, he faces a maximum sentence of 85 years.
