Adams County deputy nabs NPD escapee

Published 12:00 am Tuesday, June 8, 2004

NATCHEZ &045;&045; Darryl Beckem, who escaped from the city jail over a week ago, was arrested Sunday night after a traffic stop.

Beckem, who was previously jailed on charges of armed robbery, carjacking and kidnapping, was a passenger in a car stopped for careless driving, officials said.

Beckem, 20, provided Adams County Sheriff’s Deputy Frank Smith with false information, claiming he was Elliot Green. When he couldn’t provide the correct Social Security number Smith got suspicious, Sheriff Ronny Brown said. The deputy recovered 21.6 grams of marijuana and a .22 caliber revolver and recognized Beckem to be the escapee, Brown said.

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Beckem and driver Michael Easton were arrested and the gun found in the car was connected to an earlier burglary that night. The arrest led to the discovery of eight long guns, three sawed off guns and a machete, Brown said.

Earlier in the night Edward Easton, 143 Steamplant Road, reported that someone had broken into his home and stolen 10 guns, 10 pistols and various other items. Easton is a former law enforcement officer.

Beckem was charged with receiving stolen property, possession of a weapon by a convicted felon, providing false information, misdemeanor possession of marijuana and fugitive from justice.

Easton, 20, 4699 Centurian Way, Snellville, Ga., was charged with misdemeanor possession of marijuana in a motor vehicle, harboring a fugitive, receiving stolen property and careless driving.

Brown said authorities believe the two men were headed for Georgia.

Beckem was originally arrested May 28 after allegedly pointing a gun at a man on May 23 on Broadway Street and forcing him to drive around town and give him all the money he had.

After setting up surveillance, Natchez police officers were able to trace Beckem, leading to a short car chase and foot race ending in the arrest.

On May 29, Beckem, with the alleged assistance of two other inmates, removed wiring from the exercise yard at the city jail and crawled under while the jailer was indoors.

Beckem still faces charges of armed robbery, kidnapping, carjacking, possession of cocaine, possession of a concealed weapon by a convicted felon, malicious mischief and felony escape with NPD.

He is being held at the Adams County jail on $102,000 bond. Police Chief Mike Mullins said Beckem will face a preliminary hearing with the city in two weeks, but will remain at the county jail.

Easton is being held on $76,000 bond.

Brown said there are missing guns still unaccounted for and he expects more arrests to be made.