Randolph County Inmate Escapes While Cleaning Jail Lobby

Associated Press

WINCHESTER, Ind. (AP) — Authorities in eastern Indiana say they're searching for a Randolph County jail inmate who escaped while cleaning the jail's lobby.

The (Muncie) Star Press reports that 26-year-old Robert Dean Lewis fled from the Winchester building's front doors at 3:20 a.m. Monday. The sheriff's department says he got away when a jail officer went into a restroom to gather trash. Lewis was in jail under $80,000 bond. He and a co-defendant are accused of stealing $80,000 from a local businessman.

Officials say Lewis was last seen on surveillance video fleeing south. Winchester is about 25 miles east of Muncie.

Support independent journalism today. You rely on WFYI to stay informed, and we depend on you to make our work possible. Donate to power our nonprofit reporting today. Give now.

Debate continues over move to make it illegal to sleep on public property

Debate continues over whether to make it illegal to sleep on public property, in the final days of the state legislative session.

Public Affairs / April 19, 2025

Indy leaders celebrate road funding bill headed for Gov. Braun's desk

Local leaders are celebrating a bipartisan bill sent to Gov. Mike Braun's desk that would provide more funding for Indianapolis infrastructure while making significant modifications to other funding methods.

Public Affairs / April 18, 2025

An Indiana Girl Scout's push to repeal the 'period tax' might be thwarted by a tight budget

A central Indiana Girl Scout made repealing the sales tax on menstrual products the goal of her Gold Award. With a "bleak" revenue forecast and the state's constitutional requirement to pass a balanced budget, it's unlikely the "period tax" will be repealed this session.

June 15, 2015