Twin Falls, Idaho, has been in the spotlight as an escaped inmate and an alleged accomplice, both connected to a white supremacist gang, were arrested after a massive manhunt. The search for Skylar Meade began after he escaped from a medical center in Boise, with Nicholas Umphenour allegedly opening fire on corrections officers escorting Meade back to prison.
Boise Police Chief Ron Winegar announced that the suspects were apprehended in the Twin Falls area after a vehicle pursuit, with no shots fired during the arrest. Investigators are now exploring the possibility that the pair may have been involved in the deaths of two individuals while on the run.
The suspects were found driving a Honda Civic that reportedly belonged to one of the victims, leading Idaho State Police Lt. Colonel Sheldon Kelley to announce that two recent homicides are being investigated in connection to the apprehended individuals. The victims, both men, were discovered in separate counties – Nez Perce and Clearwater.
Josh Tewalt, director of Idaho’s Department of Correction, revealed that both Meade and Umphenour were documented members of the Aryan Knights white supremacist gang. The two individuals shared living quarters at the Idaho Maximum Security Institution and had common acquaintances both inside and outside custody.
Despite their gang affiliation, officials stated that the escape was not necessarily a sanctioned gang event. Tewalt emphasized that efforts are in place to monitor and disrupt any organized criminal activity within correctional facilities. The successful capture of the suspects was attributed to public tips and the collaboration of multiple law enforcement agencies.
In a press release, the city of Boise acknowledged the cooperative efforts of law enforcement and the public in bringing the fugitives into custody. Tewalt provided updates on the injured corrections officers, with one released from the hospital and the others showing signs of improvement. The incident has been described as a challenging ordeal for the corrections family.
The investigation into the events leading up to the escape and subsequent arrest continues, with authorities working to piece together the timeline of events and any potential links to criminal activities. Twin Falls remains under scrutiny as further details emerge about the captured individuals and their possible involvement in additional criminal incidents.