Jailbreak charity event lands Logansport's finest in jail

Josh Flynn, Pharos-Tribune, Logansport, Ind.
·4 min read

Apr. 22—The police entered the third-floor conference room in the city building at approximately 10:10 a.m. Friday morning, warrants in hand.

Deputy Mayor Jacob Pomasl was the first to be led away by officers.

"You're the worst of all of us," executive director of the Logansport Planning Department Arin Shaver said to Tony Shanks, the street commissioner, as officers moved her towards the door. Shanks remained at the table, laughing, a free man.

Chief of Police Travis Yike went quietly.

It was all in good fun, or it was at least for those outside of the makeshift cell on the first floor of the city building.

Friday marked the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #71's second Jailbreak event, a day when Logansport citizens can volunteer to be arrested—in most cases—for a good cause. Logansport Police Department officers will come to arrest the volunteers, bring them to the jail and then the volunteers must collect $200 dollars for bail.

Though someone could instead pay to raise a volunteer's bail, making it more difficult to get out of jail, if so inclined.

Shaver was an unfortunate prisoner who saw her bond increase to $400.

Funds raised will go towards the Logansport FOP Lodge #71 Shop with a Cop program and its FOP Scholarship Fund.

Branson Eber, FOP lodge president, was excited to see the Jailbreak grow in its second year.

"I got the idea last year from speaking with some people from Miami County," Eber said. "We had the idea to do it for a second year and were able to grow it from about 15 to 36 or 37 people this year."

The AMVETS were one of the most active groups in this year's Jailbreak event. They filmed a video where member Marla Spencer was arrested, only to be saved when AMVETS members arrived on motorcycles and distracted the officer. Spencer escaped the squad car and fled to freedom.

But officers found her Friday morning while she was at work at Woodbridge Health Campus.

The AMVETS once again came to her rescue, only to end up in prison themselves. Spencer was one of the lucky prisoners to make bail early. She abandoned her mother, Deb Spencer, in jail.

"We're in here with all this riff raff," Deb Spencer said, trying to cope with her daughter's abandonment.

This was Spencer's first time participating in the Jailbreak event. She said it was cool to see so many people involved.

"Cops for Kids is a great organization and they do great things," she said.

Eber said it was great to see the community have fun with the event.

"We are still fortunate to live in kind of small community where everyone still knows who everyone is," he said. "But seeing the community's outpouring and support for the Cops for Kids fund is great."

"I was framed," said Pomasl, who stared longingly beyond the bars at freedom.

He said it was a great cause and more than just giving money.

"It allows people to get involved, have a bit of fun and round up some troublemakers," he said.

Pomasl said he was trying to figure out who he could trust to call and ask for help. He was worried they might raise his bail instead of freeing him.

"This shows you who your friends are, definitely," he said.

Officer Yike said he was disappointed by the prison conditions but was happy with the excitement the event was generating in the community.

"To be able to raise money and give back to the community and raising a large amount for shop with a cop, it means a lot," he said. "I know how it makes families and kids feel during that time. And the officers get a lot out of it as well."

Shaver also said the Jailbreak was a great way to give back to the community and help do something special for children at Christmas.

Eric Bohm came to help Mitch Long, of Buck-Hilkert Inc., pay his bail. Long's warrant said he was arrested for "bribing Big 10 officials to help Purdue beat IU in basketball."

"It didn't work, did it," Bohm laughed. Purdue lost both games to IU this past season.

"It's for a good cause," he said. "It's fantastic. I think this is a neat program and everyone seems to enjoy it."

Bohm and Long have been friends for 35 years. He said Long owed him lunch after he was freed. He might have had to wait awhile. Long's bail was increased.

Downstairs, Long was wondering if he could hop over the side of the cell and escape.

Eber said the FOP once had a large associate base and he would love to see more associate members come in.

"Our fees and dues are very low," he said. "We would live to see people get involved with the FOP and continue to do event like this and get everyone involved."