Joshua Holmes, 35, (pictured) had escaped from his work detail at a Florida landfill on Wednesday and on Thursday morning got into Roxanne Vanderveer’s home in Masaryktown, Florida
A mother of two texted 911 when an escaped inmate tried to hide from authorities in her home.
Roxanne Vanderveer of Masaryktown, Florida, was woken up on Thursday morning by Joshua Holmes, 35, who entered her home through an unlocked door.
Holmes, who was initially charged and sentenced to prison for violation of parole for Grand Theft Auto, had escaped from his work detail at a nearby landfill on Wednesday.
Hernando County Sheriff’s Officers were able to catch Holmes Thursday after he had been on the run about 20 hours.
‘I wake up to Josh tapping me going “Hide me, hide me,” and I’m still incoherent,’ Vanderveer told Fox 13.
‘I guess maybe he thought we’d help him, but at the end of the day, my kids’ safety comes first. My safety comes first.’
Holmes (center) asked Vanderveer to help him hide. Instead, she texted 911 to tell them the escaped prisoner was in her home
Hernando County Sheriff’s officers were able to capture Holmes (pictured) after he was on the run for about 20 hours
She told ABC Action News that Holmes was ‘running around frantically looking out the windows, scared’.
She texted 911 because she was worried how Holmes would react if he heard her calling officials.
‘Josh Holmes is in my house… I’m afraid to call. I have two small children in my house with me,’ she texted, along with her address.
Vanderveer said she had known Holmes from growing up in the same area, but she said they hadn’t kept in touch.
Vanderveer (pictured) is a mother of two and said she had known Holmes from growing up in the same area, but she said they hadn’t kept in touch. She said: ‘I guess maybe he thought we’d help him, but at the end of the day, my kids’ safety comes first. My safety comes first’
Vanderveer texted 911 (pictured) because she was worried how Holmes would react if he heard her calling officials
‘It was a really tough situation but like I said, my kids come first. I’m not going to jail for anybody,’ Vanderveer said.
After her text, Vanderveer and her children left the house and deputies secured the home, where Holmes had hidden in the attic.
He eventually fell through the ceiling and tried to escape through a window, though deputies were waiting there for him.
Holmes was set to be released in February, but now could have several years added after his escape.
Holmes, (pictured) who was initially charged and sentenced to prison for violation of parole for Grand Theft Auto, was set to be released in February. Now, because of his escape, he could have several years added
Holmes was hiding in the attic of Vanderveer’s home when deputies arrived. He eventually fell through the ceiling and tried to escape through a window (pictured), though deputies were waiting there for him
ABC Action News