Inmate Escapes on Bike, Then Returns in SUV to Spring Fellow Prisoners: Cops

An Alaska inmate took off from a minimum security facility only to return for his friends, police say.

An Alaska inmate is back in custody after authorities say he fled a correctional facility only to return with the goal of freeing fellow prisoners.

Josh Yaska allegedly escaped the North Star Center in Fairbanks Sunday. The 20-year-old was seen riding a bicycle away from the facility, Alaska State Troopers said.

But the 20-year-old wasn't gone forever, cops say. Just after 4 a.m., Yaska allegedly returned to the prison in an SUV.

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Authorities say Yaska was back to help free some of his fellow inmates.

"While in the North Star Center parking lot, Yaska attempted to strike a North Star Center employee with his vehicle," Alaska State Troopers said in a release.

For most of Sunday, police say Yaska remained at large.

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Then, around 10 p.m., police got a call from a person identified as a member of Yaska's family who claimed Yaska had broken into their home. Troopers responded and took Yaska back into custody, authorities said.

Online court records show Yaska has past convictions for misconduct, assault and violating the conditions of his release.

Charges of Escape in the fourth degree and Assault in the third degree have been forwarded to the district attorney’s office.

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