C.J. Gish
Numerous law enforcement agencies collaborated to apprehend a Gilchrist County Jail inmate who escaped Thursday morning.
According to a Gilchrist County Sheriff’s Office (GCSO) press release, inmate Frank Joseph DeSalvo, 50, escaped from the jail just before 11 a.m. While in the temporary recreation yard, DeSalvo threw his clothes over the razor wire and scaled the fence.
Multiple law enforcement agencies assisted in locating DeSalvo, who was injured during his escape, and apprehended the fugitive within three hours. DeSalvo was still in the same vicinity as the county jail when located.
Florida Department of Corrections (FDOC) K-9 Thunder and his handler, Sgt. Mitch Osteen, tracked DeSalvo to the location where he was taken into custody, according to the release.
DeSalvo was already being held on $1.17 million bond for numerous felony and misdemeanor charges. He also has additional felony charges pending from other jurisdictions.
Gilchrist County Sheriff Bobby Schultz and GCSO thanked the following agencies for their assistance:
- Trenton DPS
- Alachua County Sheriff’s Office
- Marion County Sheriff’s Office
- Levy County Sheriff’s Office
- Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
- Florida Highway Patrol
- Florida Department of Agriculture
- FDOC
- Cross City CI Dog Team
- Lancaster CI Dog Team
- Mayo CI Dog Team
“Multiple law enforcement agencies came together to assure the safety of the public and the apprehension of a dangerous felon,” the GCSO release said. “Thank you to all involved in this successful operation.”