Police Recapture Escapee From Jail

A San Diego man who escaped Thursday afternoon from downtown County Jail by posing as a misdemeanor inmate scheduled for release has been recaptured by police detectives, a Sheriff’s Department spokesman said Monday.

James Lee Messerschmidt, 36, of the 3800 block of Brem Street was arrested in the same block by San Diego Police Department detectives at 10 p.m. Friday, Sheriff’s Sgt. Roy Stamper said.

Messerschmidt was being held on drug charges when he escaped from the jail by wearing another inmate’s identification wristband and answering questions that lead officials to believe he was being held temporarily on misdemeanor charges, Sgt. M’Liss Hinshaw said after the escape.

Messerschmidt was returned to County Jail, where he is being held in lieu of $25,000 bail--$25,000 for suspicion of escape without force, and $1,500 for suspicion of being under the influence of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of a hypodermic needle, a jail spokeswoman said.

He is scheduled for arraignment today in felony and misdemeanor courts, she said.