Two escape Stewart camp, but not for long

Two inmates hopped the fence at the Stewart Conservation Camp in south Carson City in the wee hours Saturday, escaping into the night.

Matthew Johnson and Christopher Scott were discovered missing at the 1 a.m. inmate count Saturday. But their freedom was short lived, according to Director of Corrections Greg Cox.

With a full moon and freshly fallen snow, correctional officers Ryan Blaire and Catie House along with two Carson sheriff's deputies had little difficulty following their tracks west to Bodine's casino.

There, Cox said security was able to show video of the inmates getting into a cab. A call to the cab company gave officers an address in the 200 block of Lee Street.

Cox said they along with the home's resident, Lee Ross, were all taken into custody without incident. The two inmates were transported to the Northern Nevada Correctional Center, the medium security prison along the south Carson border. Cox said they will be charged with escape. Ross was arrested on charges of harboring a fugitive.

"We ended up with them back in custody at 3:30 a.m.," said Cox. "Staff did a fantastic job. I have to say you couldn't have any better cooperation between the (sheriff's office), Bodine's and the taxicab company."

He said the escape makes no sense since the two were scheduled for release from prison in July. Ross, also an ex-inmate, he said, had just been released in January.

"I've been doing this near 30 years and it makes no sense to me," said Cox.