Inmate Flees, Apprehended In River

Wed., Aug. 9, 2000

A Geiger Corrections Center inmate made a brief escape from the Public Safety Building on Tuesday, ending up in the Spokane River.

Curtis Dupey, 27, was booked into the Spokane County Jail on a first-degree escape charge and a second-degree burglary charge. He was being held at Geiger on violation of a domestic violence protection order, said Spokane police spokesman Dick Cottam. It wasn’t known why Dupey was at the Public Safety Building, he said.

Before 3 p.m., the inmate bolted from the Geiger guard with him, Cottam said. He ran across the Post Street Bridge, taking off his yellow corrections jumpsuit as he ran, Cottam said.

Dupey had a towel around him and went into the river on the south side, Cottam said. Spokane Police found him clinging to a rock and arrested him, Cottam said.

Local journalism is essential.

Give directly to The Spokesman-Review's Northwest Passages community forums series -- which helps to offset the costs of several reporter and editor positions at the newspaper -- by using the easy options below. Gifts processed in this system are tax deductible.

Meet Our Journalists

Jesse Tinsley

Meet Jesse Tinsley. As a certified drone pilot, this veteran Spokesman-Review photographer often can be seen capturing beautiful aerial photographs of our region. Sometimes though, the job requires getting down with the dogs.
Jim Meehan

Jim Meehan is no stranger to Zag Nation. As the lead writer covering the Gonzaga men’s basketball team, he tells the stories behind the game and gets fans a bit closer to their favorite players.
Molly Quinn

There is no artist in Spokane like Molly Quinn. Her whimsical style is instantly recognizable to readers of The Spokesman-Review. She has painted gorgeous illustrations that instantly elevate the journalism accompanying it. She brings to life the stories that defy photography. She makes our pages better.
Rob Curley

Spokesman-Review editor Rob Curley loves to talk with people and learn about their lives, whether it's a best-selling author or a stranger he meets downtown on his walk to lunch. It's that inquisitive nature combined with a playful sense of storytelling that helps make our newspaper different than most.