Sheriff: Suspect escaped saying he had to vomit

Associated Press

MIDDLE POINT, Ohio

Authorities say a man claiming he had to vomit escaped from a cruiser while in the custody of deputies in northwest Ohio.

The Lima News reports that Van Wert County deputies arrested 36-year-old Thomas M. Roberts at his Middle Point home in an investigation of an alleged sexual assault.

Sheriff Stan Owens says deputies had put Roberts in the back of the cruiser Tuesday when Roberts said he was going to be sick.

Owens says a deputy rolled down the window, and Roberts opened the door from the outside handle, bolting from the moving cruiser.

Deputies were not able to find him.

Owens says deputies filed charges of gross sexual imposition and escape against Roberts on Wednesday.

There was no telephone listing for Roberts in Middle Point.