Two inmates escape through a hole drilled in the walls, and are caught in a fast food restaurant

The two detainees spent only a few hours outside their cell before they were arrested again.

You can’t say they were hiding. Two American prisoners escaped from their prison cells in Eastern Virginia on Monday night after drilling a hole in the wall of their cell, including using a toothbrush. But a few hours later, thanks to a police tip-off, the authorities found a fast-food restaurant specializing in waffles.

Jail guards in the town of Newport News were surprised to find John Garza, 37, and Arlie Nimmo, 43, missing around 7:15 p.m. Monday, authorities said in a statement.

Only a few kilometers away

Police said prisoners were able to exploit a “hole” in the structure of the prison building, using tools made from a toothbrush and a metal object to pry out loose fixtures in the wall. Thus, they succeeded in forming a hole through which they slipped and then climbed the prison fence.

However, the run was short-lived. After walking several miles, the two fugitives arrived at the International House of Pies (IHOP) pie restaurant in nearby Hampton where they were arrested Tuesday morning, police said.

“I thank the citizens who saw Garza and Nemo at IHOP and alerted law enforcement,” Newport News Sheriff Gabe Morgan said in the statement.

John Garza was in custody in particular for violating probation and Arley Nemo for bank card fraud, forgery, use of forgery, theft, and concealment of stolen property.