Another Webster County inmate escapes, is captured; additional charges filed
For the second time in 11 days, local law enforcement engaged in a brief manhunt Tuesday afternoon, Sept. 5, around 1:30 p.m. A Webster County prisoner being housed in the Humboldt County Jail, was in the exercise yard and was being escorted back to his cell when he overpowered a jailer, took her keys and escaped. Lennox Kylan Marino VanVacter, 30, was at large less than 30 minutes. Local law enforcement apprehended VanVacter on 4th Street South, a couple of blocks from the jail. Pictured from left: Humboldt County Deputy Matt Steil, Humboldt Police Chief Joel Sanders, Deputy Matt Shillington and K-9 Deputy Rooster, Police Officers Amber Williams and Erin Bennett and Sheriff’s Deputy Tim Fisher. Independent photo by April Kelley.
For the second time in 11 days, local law enforcement engaged in a brief manhunt Tuesday afternoon, Sept. 5, around 1:30 p.m. A Webster County prisoner being housed in the Humboldt County Jail, was in the exercise yard and was being escorted back to his cell when he overpowered a jailer, took her keys and escaped. Lennox Kylan Marino VanVacter, 30, was at large less than 30 minutes. Local law enforcement apprehended VanVacter on 4th Street South, a couple of blocks from the jail. Pictured from left: Humboldt County Deputy Matt Steil, Humboldt Police Chief Joel Sanders, Deputy Matt Shillington and K-9 Deputy Rooster, Police Officers Amber Williams and Erin Bennett and Sheriff’s Deputy Tim Fisher. Independent photo by April Kelley.
By APRIL KELLEY
For the second time in less than two weeks, a Webster County Jail inmate escaped from custody from the Humboldt County Jail.
According to Sheriff Dean Kruger, at approximately 1:20 p.m., Tuesday, Sep. 5, Lennox Kylan Marino VanVacter, 30, of Duncombe, was being escorted back to his cell after exercise.
As VanVacter was being returned to his cell, he overpowered the jailer, took her key fob and ran out of the jail area, using the key fob to escape the locked doors.
Kruger stated that an alert was issued immediately and all Humboldt County Sheriff’s Deputies, Humboldt City Police Officers and off-duty law enforcement officers quickly surrounded the area south of the Law Enforcement Center.
“We had some witnesses call in and say that saw him and we really appreciate that,” Kruger said.
The inmate was located in a garage at approximately 1:48 p.m. at 106 4th Street South.
“The deputies searched the garage, he came running out of the garage and was apprehended at that time,” Kruger said.
Webster County came immediately after the capture and returned the inmate to Fort Dodge.
VanVacter stated the reason for the attempted escape is that he is facing federal indictment charges.
This is the second time VanVacter has tried to escape custody. He walked away from a work release program at the Fort Dodge Residential Center in Fort Dodge in July of 2019. He was recaptured and returned to finish his sentence.
He was arrested in July of 2023 and is being held in Webster County on interference with official acts, possession of a firearm or offensive weapon by a felon, reckless driving, and eluding at speeds over 25 miles over the speed limit.
Additional charges have now been added in Humboldt County as a result of Tuesday's incident.Those charges are robbery, a class C felony; escape from custody, a class D felony and assaults on persons in certain occupations, an aggravated misdemeanor.
VanVacter was brought to the Humboldt County Jail on Aug. 25 while he awaited his hearing.
“We will be looking at changing some of our procedures in the future. Taking a look at our options,” Kruger said in regard to jail security.
Kruger stated that the jailer was uninjured during the incident.
The Humboldt County Sheriff's Office was assisted by the Humboldt Police Department, Iowa State Patrol, city of Humboldt, Humboldt County Emergency Management and several concerned citizens.
VanVacter is considered innocent of the charges until proven guilty.
