Inmates Cut Through Cell Bars, Escape

Tue., March 11, 1997

From Staff And Wire Reports

Three federal prisoners being held at the city jail here escaped after someone cut through their cell window with an acetylene torch, officials said Monday.

Police said the prisoners, last seen at about 11:15 p.m. Sunday, were reported missing less than three hours later.

The prisoners disabled smoke and noise detectors in the cell while the cutting torch was used from the outside to remove bars and a metal window frame, Kent police spokesman Paul Petersen said.

The prisoners crawled out the opening and apparently jumped into a waiting getaway car, Petersen said.

“We have just spent an enormous amount of money upgrading our security at this facility and for somebody to bypass that security and find a niche in it is embarrassing,” Petersen said.

“This is a very well-planned and executed escape.”

The prisoners were identified as Anatolia Federov, 38, a Russian who last lived in Portland and who was being held for trial on extortion charges; Gerald Sachow, 44, last residence unknown, a convicted bank robber who violated parole; and Martin McCauley, 34, of Seattle, who was awaiting sentencing for possesion and distrbution of heroin.

The three had been jailed in Kent under a contract with U.S. marshals.

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