Daniel Prince
Strickland was jailed for stealing dump truck, damaging fences and property
Friday night around 10 p.m., the Union County Sheriff’s Office received a call regarding an inmate who had escaped from the Union County Detention Center. Deputies deployed the K-9 unit to track the suspect, whom the sheriff’s office identified as 44-year-old David Paul Strickland, of Union. In an update Sunday morning, the sheriff’s office stated they were still searching for Strickland. Deputies and K-9 units searched into the early morning hours both Saturday and Sunday. They have been assisted in the search by the Union Public Safety Department, Jonesville Police Department, and SLED. The sheriff’s office thanked those agencies, and they thanked those in the community who had called in information to help. The sheriff’s office asks that anyone with information should continue to call in. They stated that if you see Strickland, do not approach him, but call 911 or Crimestoppers at 427-0800.
Strickland is accused of stealing a Ford F-450 dump truck from Lewis Funeral Home and later fleeing from a traffic stop, damaging the fence at Grace United Methodist Church and another fence at the old Ottaray Mill site at Sims Avenue. He eventually wrecked on Neal Shoals Road and was taken into custody back on Tuesday, August 30. Strickland faces two charges of hit and run with a fixed object, as well as disregarding a traffic signal, driving under suspension, failure to stop for a blue light, and possession of a stolen vehicle. The details surrounding his escape have not yet been released. WBCU News will continue to follow the story and bring you more information as it becomes available.