Thomas Kelley, San Diego Inmate, Escaped From Prison On A Fire Truck

SAN DIEGO -- An official says an inmate escaped from a state prison in San Diego County by stealing the prison fire engine on New Year's Day.

Authorities are seeking 51-year-old Thomas Kelley, a convicted car thief who was jailed at Donovan state prison in November for a parole violation.

Prison spokesman Lt. Patrick Logan says Kelley worked as a firefighter at the prison near the Mexican border. He was discovered missing Sunday night from the minimum security section.

Logan says at about the same time, sheriff's deputies saw a fire engine being driven erratically about 10 miles from the prison. Prison officials say the driver fled when the truck was stopped.

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Comments

[tomkelley]

03:05 PM on 01/03/2012

It's always great when another person with your name pulls a good one in the news. Being a Tom Kelley, fortunately, I have not read my name in print with such circumstances in the past and most of the Tom Kelleys that I have met in my life have all been pretty decent people. As my mom used to say when I was a kid, "There is always a bad apple in the bunch" -- hopefully, he's the only bad apple in the Tom Kelley bunch.

[anilimili]

10:53 AM on 01/03/2012

Well, it sure won't be a 'minimum security prison' where he'd be heading once he's caught. NOT a very smart trade.

[caliman92557]

09:53 AM on 01/03/2012

who was chsing the fire truck-Roesoe P. Coletrane??

[fd909]

09:21 AM on 01/03/2012

This con should get together with the guy who stole the ambulance and make their own hijacked fire department......."Con 51...responded to a reported structure fire...."

[amodeous2]

09:23 AM on 01/03/2012

Had my own fire truck, ambulance joke ready to fly but you beat me to it.

[knkdnsr]

09:11 AM on 01/03/2012

Nice inconspicuous escape vehicle. He should be able to blend right in with the rest of the traffic since everyone drives a bright red fie truck these days. If captured and manages to escape again what will be his get away vehicle be this time.? AF1

[ronp121]

09:08 AM on 01/03/2012

At least he stuck to his trade in making his break.

[fd909]

09:33 AM on 01/03/2012

Good thing he didn't work on the septic system, huh!

[Dana S]

09:07 AM on 01/03/2012

The good citizen was just on his way to help out with all the car fires in L.A. , CA, Why do car thieves get housed with a vehicle and keys available ?

[The Dude67]

08:53 AM on 01/03/2012

Car thief steals prison fire engine to escape.  You gotta dance with the one what brung ya!

[acarioti]

08:26 AM on 01/03/2012

Prison Breaks are always interesting and fun to hear, but the escapee is a convicted crimial on the loose. BTW, lock your car doors!

[jjnyc]

08:43 AM on 01/03/2012

You know, you're right...thanks for the tip. BTW, you should lock your house doors as well!

[snackfoodguy]

08:23 AM on 01/03/2012

LOL screw this prison crap, im takin my fire engine n heading south...the "minimum security" sections of most prisons are nothing more than day camps . im sure he didnt have to go through much to get away.

[hammergonewild]

08:09 AM on 01/03/2012

Guess they were asleep in front of the video cameras.

[Dan Legge]

07:59 AM on 01/03/2012

Do prison/firefighters have stripped bunker gear and have to wear chains?They should have the inmates act as prison guards too.

[Adam Dray]

07:56 AM on 01/03/2012

"He was discovered missing Sunday night from the minimum security section."
Guess they shouldn't have had that game of 'bridge' and drinks?
"Prison officials say the driver fled when the truck was stopped."
LOL They just can't hang onto this slippery sucker can they!

[DanaDane504]

07:35 AM on 01/03/2012

hope they never catch him,

[hidenout3]

08:13 AM on 01/03/2012

Spoken like a fellow sc*m bag. They just haven't caught you yet. Nothing worse than a thief. I hope they bury him under the jail.

[local21]

06:46 AM on 01/03/2012

The old hook and ladder escape plan, it works every time.