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Escaped Pennsylvania inmate wanted in homicide captured

By Amy R. Connolly and Danielle Haynes
Robert Crissman, 38, is wanted in a homicide after escaping from jail, where he was serving time on a petty drug charge. Photo courtesy from Armstrong County Jail
Robert Crissman, 38, is wanted in a homicide after escaping from jail, where he was serving time on a petty drug charge. Photo courtesy from Armstrong County Jail

PITTSBURGH, July 31 (UPI) -- Robert Crissman, 38, was captured Friday one day after he allegedly escaped from jail and killed a friend who lived near the facility, Pennsylvania police said.

Crissman, who had been in the Armstrong County jail since July 23 on a probation violation, was helping deliver inmate meals early Thursday when he walked to a nearby friend's home. A man who lives in the house went to work, but later came home to find his girlfriend, 55-year-old Tammy Long, dead in the bathroom. Crissman has a long history of drug and theft charges, but no history of violence.

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Crissman was on the run until Friday morning when a woman called 911 to say he came to her residence.

"She initially opened the door, immediately recognized Mr. Crissman and said, 'Hold on a minute,'" Armstrong County District Attorney Scott J. Andreassi told reporters. "Then she managed to shut and lock the door and call 911."

Crissman fled in a pickup truck and led police on a chase for more than 5 miles until around 8:40 a.m. local time, when he crashed his vehicle and sustained an injury. Authorities believe Crissman was never farther than about 12 miles away from the jail the whole time.

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As a trustee in the jail, located about 45 miles outside Pittsburgh, Crissman enjoyed the freedom of moving around the facility with limited supervision. When he showed up at his friends' doorstep Thursday morning, they did not hesitate to let him in.

"They only knew him as a friend," Andreassi said. "They didn't even know he was in jail."

Crissman faces charges of murder, theft -- for a gun and two trucks--— assault on a police officer and escape.

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