Inmate escapes using toilet-paper gun
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Michael McGuire
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OMAHA, Nebraska (AP) -- A prison inmate who escaped by brandishing a fake gun made of toilet paper, tape and black ink was captured four days later after a gunfight with police on a busy Omaha street.
No one was injured in the shootout Saturday, police said.
Michael McGuire, 54, had been on the loose since overpowering two guards Tuesday in the state prison at Tecumseh.
Authorities were led to McGuire by a tip from a man who said McGuire had held him in his apartment for three days, said police Capt. Michael Butera.
The man described a car that McGuire was driving, and a Nebraska State Patrol investigator spotted the car Saturday in central Omaha.
Police surrounded the car but McGuire ran, exchanging shots with officers over about a block, said police Officer Dave Volenec.
Then McGuire entered Mojo's Coffeehouse, stomped snow from his shoes and said "It's getting kind of crazy out there," said owner Keri Casady.
Police stormed in and captured McGuire, she said.
At least one shot was fired inside the coffeehouse, officers said.
McGuire, who was serving time on robbery, kidnapping and rape convictions, escaped Tuesday after brandishing what appeared to be a gun during a visit to the Tecumseh hospital.
McGuire's attorney, James Martin Davis, said the gun was actually a papier-mache prop McGuire had fashioned from toilet paper and tape and colored with black ink.
McGuire freed himself from ankle and wrist shackles using a key from one of the guards, then forced one of the guards to drive him in a prison van to the Plattsmouth area, where he handcuffed the guard to a tree and fled in the van, authorities said.
Police said they were interviewing the man who said he was held captive, but have not identified him.
Copyright 2004 The
Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
