21-year-old inmate rams firetruck through prison gates and breaks out

By PAUL WALSH, Star Tribune

Last update: October 7, 2008 - 9:48 AM

In a Hollywood-style breakout, a 21-year-old inmate stole a 10,000-pound firetruck and rammed his way out of a state prison in southeastern South Dakota, authorities said.

Jesse Oliver blasted the 2007 International white pumper truck through two sets of gates at the Mike Durfee State Prison in Springfield about 1:45 p.m. Monday, the state Department of Corrections said.

To the south in Nebraska, the Knox County Sheriff's Office is investigating a report that two people saw a truck matching the description of the one taken from the prison heading south near the Niobrara Bridge and toward Santee, Neb., shortly after the escape.

The 5-ton truck has a flatbed trailer on it. Its license plate number is DB300.

Oliver is described as white, with brown hair, hazel eyes and about 6 feet 1 inches tall and 160 pounds.

He was in prison serving a four-year sentence for second-degree burglary in Minnehaha County.

Paul Walsh • 612-673-4482

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