Two prisoners escape in Enumclaw, are soon captured

Two inmates were working on the main floor of the Police Department when they were able to separate themselves from visible contact with the supervising correction officer and flee custody.

NOTE: the following is a press release issued Wednesday night by the Enumclaw Police Department

The Enumclaw Police Department is reporting the escape and recapture of two inmates frompolice custody.

The two inmates were working on the main floor of the Police Department when they wereable to separate themselves from visible contact with the supervising correction officer and flee custody.

The inmates were both serving Enumclaw Court Commitments at the time of their escape.

Inmate Joseph Michael Zelepula, is a 21 years old, white male. Zelepula was serving a 60 DayEnumclaw Municipal Court commitment for Attempt Theft and Driving on a Suspended License.

Inmate Danny Lee Phelps, is a 25 year old, white male. Phelps was serving a 305 day EnumclawMunicipal Court commitment for Criminal Conspiracy and Drug Paraphernalia.

The inmates confronted several local teenagers in a residential area in the northeast sectionof the city, hitting one in the head area (causing minor injuries) and taking their outer clothes,shoes, and a cell phone.

Police were able to track, locate, and recapture both suspects; Zelepula was arrested 2hrs laterin a residential area with the assistance of a K9 unit from Kent PD and Phelps was arrested 4hrs later at a downtown convenience store after being spotted riding a bike by the King CountySheriff Department Guardian One helicopter.Police from Enumclaw, Buckley, Black Diamond, Kent, and King County deputies were involvedwith the search and subsequent arrests.Further investigation is ongoing with new charges pending for the inmates.