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5 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Luzerne County; 1 more death

SALEM TWP. &mdash; A township police officer suffered a concussion and other injuries when he struck his head against pavement while chasing a prisoner who escaped custody after being arraigned on child rape offenses, according to court records.
				Austin Richard Wample, 23, of Benton, initiated a chase when he ran out of the township police department on Bomboy Lane minutes after he was arraigned by a district judge via video on Monday, court records say.
				An officer chased and grabbed Wample who spun, causing the officer to fall striking his head against the pavement. The officer was knocked unconscious and transported to Geisinger Medical Center in Danville where he was diagnosed with suffering a concussion.
				Wample eluded authorities that involved canine units and a helicopter from the state police aviation unit in the search. He was captured at about 5:10 p.m. about five hours after he escaped when found hiding in a wooded area.
				According to the criminal complaint:
				Police charged Wample after a girl claimed he raped her inside a residence on East Front Street in September 2017. He was arraigned via video by District Judge Rick Cronauer on charges of rape of a child, corruption of minors and indecent assault.
				Before Wample was transported to the Luzerne County Correctional Facility, court records say he asked to use the restroom.
				An officer removed leg shackles attached to a bench from Wample.
				When Wample was being escorted to the restroom, police said he ran out the front door. An officer chased and grabbed Wample in the parking lot.
				Wample spun around causing the officer to fall and strike his head against the pavement, court records say.
				The officer also suffered bruises and lacerations to his knees and elbows.
				Wample was arraigned late Monday night by Cronauer on charges of aggravated assault, escape, simple assault and resisting arrest. Cronauer jailed Wample without bail due to violating conditions that had been imposed on the child rape charges, court records say.

Officer injured when prisoner escapes custody