Escaped inmate Hauber caught in Salt Lake City restaurant

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    By Sara Israelsen

    Escaped inmate Eric Hauber was caught Sunday night, August 8, in a restaurant in Salt Lake City. Hauber, who escaped July 25, 2004 from the Duchesne County Jail after a power outage is now in the Draper Prison.

    Hauber has multiple offenses on his record, including burglary, felony, auto theft, forcible sex abuse and possession of a dangerous weapon.

    Based on these previous misdeeds, his sentence was five years to life. However, because of the escape, Hauber may have an additional charge of one to 15 years added if the Duchesne County jailers decide to press charges, which Jack Ford, spokesman for the Utah Department of Corrections, said jailers plan to do.

    Thanks to an influx of publicity, Hauber was recognized by a civilian who called the police. Ford said undercover officers went to the restaurant around 9 p.m., and arrested Hauber, who was drinking coffee.

    “[There were] a lot of people there,” Ford said. “We didn”t take any chances on this.”

    Ford said Hauber came quietly and without a scene.

    “We were a little nervous,” Ford said. “[He was] a sex offender, armed robber, considered probably to be dangerous. Fortunately he did not have a weapon; just taken down without much trouble.”

    Ford said jail escapes are rare, but if someone does leave, it”s usually a prisoner from a work crew. He said there hasn”t been a secure jail escape in eight years.

    “It doesn”t happen real often,” Ford said. “[We] very seldom have somebody walk out of a secure facility.”

    Hauber is now in a more protected area.

    “He”ll stay at the Draper prison,” Ford said. “Once you”ve got an escape on your record we”re not going to put you somewhere where there”s less security.”

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