Authorities Search For Escapee In Woodland Park
UPDATE: Mullens was caught on Friday, April 20th. See the full story here
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The search continues Thursday for a Peterson Airman who fled from custody while being transported to Teller County jail.
Authorities are searching for Senior Airman Herbert T. Mullens, 23, of Peterson Air Force Base. He remains at-large on Thursday afternoon but authorities say he is not considered a danger to the public.
According to Colorado Springs bail bondsman Bobby Brown, Mullens is facing a felony charge of contributing to the delinquency of a minor, and was at the base earlier Wednesday for a hearing regarding that charge.
Peterson officials confirmed that information in a statement released later in the evening, saying: “An Airman assigned to the 21st Space Wing fled from custody today while returning to Teller County Jail. Senior Airman Herbert Mullens III had been held in pretrial confinement since April 5 due to pending charges of driving while intoxicated, contributing to the delinquency of a minor and possession of drug paraphernalia. The airman attended a pretrial confinement hearing on Peterson AFB earlier today in which it was determined he will remain in confinement.”
Mullens was on his way back to the Teller County Jail, in the custody of two security officers from the 21st Space Wing. How he escaped is under investigation.
Mullens is a white man with brown eyes; short, red hair; and a medium build. He’s described as being 5 feet 11 inches tall and weighing 160 pounds. He was wearing blue, gray and tan military fatigues, but authorities said he since may have changed clothes.
A witness reported seeing a man fitting that description enter the Walmart in Woodland Park about 6 p.m. However, after a search that lasted several hours, Walmart representatives said Mullens was not in the store. Store security video also didn’t confirm Mullens was there.
Mullens apparently escaped near the McDonald’s in Woodland Park about a half-mile from Walmart, while being transported from Peterson to the Teller County Jail. It’s unclear whether his escort had stopped at the restaurant or if Mullens escaped from the vehicle he was in.
The Walmart was not evacuated. Authorities searched the store while customers continued their shopping. Jeffrey Rice was among the customers.
“Most of them were in pairs. They were walking the aisles. They were looking through things, being very observant of anything out of place,” Rice said of the authorities. “I think they were probably looking for someone that was hiding somewhere.”
The search involves several agencies including the Teller County Sheriff’s Office, the Colorado State Patrol and Woodland Park police. If you have information on his whereabouts, you’re urged to call your local law enforcement agency or the Peterson Security Forces Law Enforcement Desk at (719) 556-4000.
Stay tuned to KRDO.com and NewsChannel 13 for updates.
