Two jail inmates captured in Detroit after short-lived freedom

ROCHESTER HILLS, Michigan (CNN) -- Two jail inmates who escaped from Oakland County sheriff's deputies Thursday were captured a short time later after the van in which they were fleeing crashed while being pursued by police.

Capt. Michael McCabe said he did not know if the inmates were injured, but both were taken into custody.

Earlier in the day, inmate Jobe Edward Gasiorwski -- who had appeared in court on a retail fraud charge -- overpowered a deputy while being transported in a van following the hearing, Sgt. Joe Lamborn said. Gasiorwski managed to get his handcuffs off and then ran to a nearby Meijer grocery store where he stole a pickup truck.

Another deputy spotted Gasiorwski and fired his gun, hitting the truck's front tire. The truck then crashed into a snowbank, Lamborn said.

Gasiorwski then got back into the deputies' silver-colored transport van and drove off with another inmate still inside. The deputy was out of the vehicle.

A police officer on patrol later spotted the van later in Detroit, said McCabe. After a brief chase, the van crash at an intersection.

Gasiorwski had appeared at the 52nd District Court in Rochester Hills for a hearing on a retail fraud charge. He is also charged with felony possession of heroin, an assault charge and traffic violations -- all in Detroit.

The sheriff's deputy who Gasiorwski overpowered was taken to a local hospital after the incident because he suffered from chest pains. He is resting comfortably but will stay overnight for observation, McCabe said.

The other inmate is identified as Nathan Wilson, who also uses the alias Nathan Headley.

Wilson had appeared in court today for allegedly operating a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol.

It's not clear if Gasiorwski acted alone or if he and Wilson had conspired to escape from authorities, Lamborn said.

CNN's Carol Yancho contributed to this report

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