State officials learned of an attempted Wednesday escape at the Benewah County Jail when officials at another jail called to say the inmate had been transferred there, and they wanted him gone. 

The Idaho Department of Correction is working to transport Timothy Wesley Allen, 30, to another facility, said spokesman Jeff Ray.

Allen was awaiting transfer to state custody on a parole violation when he tried to break through a wall at the jail, Ray said.

Jailers discovered the attempted break-in about 10 p.m., Ray said. Benewah County Sheriff's Office transferred Allen to the Shoshone County Jail in Wallace, Idaho.

Jailers called the state official in charge of the facility and asked that Allen be removed as soon as possible.

"He said 'how come?' and found out why," Ray said.

The Benewah County Sheriff’s Office did not return a phone call seeking comment.

Allen has convictions for grand theft, robbery, DUI and accessory to a robbery in Montana in 2009, Ray said.

This is the second time in six months Benewah County has failed to notify the department of an escape or attempted escape by a state inmate.

Jesse John Wilkenson, also known as Jesse Brebner, 20, has escaped twice - last July and last September.

---

---