Man Who Escaped Alexander County Jail Now Back Behind Bars

An inmate was able to escape the Alexander County Detention Center Thursday night but is now back behind bars. 33 year old Jason Mullen of Statesville was working as a trustee and helping with food delivery. He was taking garbage to a dumpster when he fled on foot. He crossed the street adjacent to the jail and stole a pickup truck in the parking lot of the Catawba Valley Community College Alexander Center. The truck had the keys in the ignition according to County Chief Deputy Todd Jones.

Mullen was able to taste freedom for only a short while. Shortly after 4am, he was captured less than five miles a way near Hiddenite. Mullen had parked the stolen truck just off Highway 90. Officers tracked him to an empty mobile home where he was placed in custody. Jones said this morning “there is no indication that he was able to obtain a firearm, we had spotted him at one time but he scaled a fence and got away.”

Mullen was being held for charges in Iredell County. Those charges include felony larceny of a firearm, possession of a firearm by a felon, and felony possession of methamphetamine. Mullen was returned to the Alexander County Detention Center.