ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Tuesday, May 7, 1996 TAG: 9605070071
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B-4 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
DATELINE: LEESBURG
SOURCE: Associated Press
A sheriff's deputy rushed to the aid of a woman who fended off a rape attempt Monday and captured a man whose escape from the Loudoun County jail went undetected for most of the weekend.
Jose Antonio Sagastume wrecked the vehicle he was trying to drive away from the woman's house after deputies cut off his exit. Then he led officers on a foot chase through fields and woods before he gave up around 2:30 p.m., Lt. Bob Weitershausen said.
Sagastume, 27, who faces a June murder trial, was returned to the jail and was scheduled to be charged with attempted rape today in Loudoun County General District Court, said Maj. John Patton.
Patton said Sagastume, of Washington, was last seen in jail Friday in an outdoor recreation area. His absence was not noticed until 5:49 a.m. Sunday, and investigators remained unsure when the escape occurred.
Sagastume apparently crawled beneath a wheelchair ramp, hid in a trailer that was being used as a library, then scaled a fence 14 feet high to escape from the three-story, red-brick downtown jail, authorities said.
Two jail supervisors have been placed on paid leave pending an internal investigation.
Weitershausen said Sagastume apparently attacked the woman while she worked in a garden behind her home three miles from Waterford. She broke free and called police for help, he said.
LENGTH: Short : 36 linesby CNB