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Two prisoners in U.S. Virginia escaped prison on Mar. 21, 2023, with the help of a toothbrush — only to be captured at a pancake restaurant a short distance away.

Local police asked public for help

The Newport News Sheriff's Office (NNSO) issued notices on various social media platforms to appeal for the public's help in locating the escaped convicts.

The duo had escaped from Newport News City Jail Annex that evening.

NNSO identified the men as Arley Vaughn Nemo, 43, and John Michael Garza, 37, and released their mugshots.

The search is on for two men who escaped from the Newport News Jail Annex this afternoon. Call 9-1-1 or Crime Line with any information that will lead to their capture. Details: https://t.co/OWoZWvBmxW #newportnews pic.twitter.com/Q2N9QgTo98

— Newport News Sheriff's Office (@NnsoJ) March 21, 2023

Nemo was described as having a bald head and facial stubble, while Garza had strawberry blonde hair, a full beard and blue eyes.

NNSO updated their social media posts the following day to confirm they had the prisoners back in custody.

Dug a hole in cell with toothbrush and metal object

In a statement released later in the day, NNSO said that the duo had escaped around 6pm, and the jail staff noticed they were missing when they didn’t appear for a head count at 7:15pm.

NNSO explained that the men exploited a “construction design weakness” while “utilising primitive-made tools” made of a toothbrush and a "metal object”.

After that, they managed to access untied reinforcing bars between the walls and used them to escape.

NNSO also released a photo of the hole that the men dug through their cell wall.

After climbing out of their cell, the duo scaled the prison's containment wall and escaped.

Public found them at pancake restaurant

NNSO said they apprehended the escapees at an IHOP, a U.S. pancake restaurant chain, 10km away from the jail after members of the public called the police around 3:30am.

Nemo was in custody for charges including credit card fraud, credit card larceny, forgery, possession of burglary tools, grand larceny, contempt of court and probation violation.

Garza was being held on charges including contempt of court, probation violations and failure to appear.

NNSO did not mention if they were caught inside or outside the restaurant.

They also did not reveal if the duo managed to have their pancakes.

Top image via Twitter Newport News Police Department & Google Maps Street View