‘#WeNeedABiggerJail,’ SC police say after three escaped from overcrowded jail cell

Police in Berkeley County have three men in isolated prison cells after they escaped the county detention center on Saturday.

The Berkeley County Sheriff’s Office said Michael Andrew Hutto, 29, Eric Evander Garner 41, and Thomas Matthew Davidson, 33, all escaped the Hill-Finklea Detention Center around 11:30 a.m.

The trio escaped from a cell where “overcrowding” was an issue. Typically six people are held in the cell but at the time of the escape, the holding room contained 15 inmates.

“One inmate took it upon himself to kick out the window of the cell and Hutto, Garner, and Davidson were able to exit the cell.” the BCSO said.

Over social media the sheriff’s office posted “#WeNeedABiggerJail” after the escape attempt.

Davidson is listed as being held for an agency is Cascade County, Montana, according to jail records. Garner is jailed on drug charges with an $80,000 bond, the detention center records show. Hutto is charged with burglary, records say.

The BCSO said residences around Moncks Corner, SC will see an increased police presence.

This story was originally published January 26, 2019 at 2:52 PM.

David Travis Bland

The State

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David Travis Bland is The State’s editorial editor. In his prior position as a reporter, he was named the 2020 South Carolina Journalist of the Year by the SC Press Association. He graduated from the University of South Carolina in 2010. Support my work with a digital subscription