Crime & Safety
Inmate Charged After Attempting to Escape
The investigation continues after last Friday's incident at the Loudoun County Adult Detention Center
Alexandria resident Yonathan Melaku, 23, has been charged with two felonies after attempting to escape his holding cell at the Loudoun County Adult Detention Center, last Friday.
Loudoun County Sheriff Public Information Officer Kraig Troxell said corrections staff had discovered that a small portion of a cinder block had been damaged in his cell shortly after the damage occurred. Although the center had been placed on lock down it was only as a precaution, Troxell said. At no point was anyone in danger.
“This was a cinder block wall, which is reinforced by concrete behind that,” Troxell explained. “This jail is state of the art with the highest maximum security construction standards.”
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As of Tuesday, the investigation continued to be on-going. Information regarding what Melaku had used to attempt his escape was unavailable at the time. After reviewing the incident with the Office of the Commonwealth’s Attorney, Melaku was charged with damaging the facility to aid escape and possession of an instrument to aid escape.
Melaku continues to be held at the Adult Detention Center where he was booked on June 17 in connection with a series of larcenies and vehicle break-ins. He was also arrested in 2010 after a number of pre-dawn shootings at the Pentagon and other military buildings in Washington D.C.