Manassas Journal Messenger | Inmate fails to report back to jail
An inmate at the Prince William-Manassas Detention Center is on the run after failing to return from his work-release program Tuesday evening, Manassas police said.
Manassas police are searching for Clifford Coppock, a former Woodbridge resident, who failed to report back after his work-release job, said Sgt. Tim Neumann, police spokesman.
Coppock had been held since Oct. 17 for driving with a revoked license, carrying a concealed weapon and a fourth driving while under the influence offense, jail officials said.
On Dec. 17, a grand jury dismissed all charges except the DWI, prison officials said.
“He was supposed to appear in court Wednesday for sentencing on a previous charge,” Neumann said. “Apparently he didn’t want to get any more jail time and tried to run away from it.”
Police describe Coppock as a white man with brown hair and brown eyes, 5 feet 8 inches tall, and weighing 158 pounds.
Manassas police released a wanted poster for Coppock on Thursday.
Whenever an inmate escapes from the jail through the work release program, Manassas police work with jail officials to bring him or her back.
Coppock will face extra charges if caught for trying to escape that will most likely result in extra jail time.
Neumann said that escapes from the work release program are rare and that Manassas police handle only one or two each year. Inmates in work release are allowed to leave the jail each day to work, but must return by a designated time each night, prison officials said.
They tend to be people with short sentences or those who are not deemed to be a danger to society, prison officials said.
Anyone with information is asked to call Manassas police at (703) 257-8000 or Detective C.J. Barnes at (703) 257-8044.
Callers do not have to give their names or testify in court and may receive a reward of up to $1,000 for information that results in an arrest through the Manassas Crime Solvers.