Escapee Caught and Returned to Police
One of the two prisoners who escaped from the Union County Jail on December 15th was captured last night. Found in an apartment just six blocks from the prison, Jose Espinosa was returned to Union County police headquarters. Also arrested was Odalys Cortez, 19, of Hazleton, Pennsylvania. Investigators say they intend to file charges against Ms. Cortez.
Otis Blunt, the other innate to escape the prison remains at large. In recent days, he has spoken with Rev. Al Sharpton to help negotiate his surrender. Blunt was in prison in lieu of $75,000 bail for weapon and robbery charges.
These escapees taunted a prison guard, Rudolph Zurick, 40, in a note they left “thanking” him for his help with the escape. The guard though he helped authorities after the escape on his watch, committed suicide in his Sayreville, New Jersey home. He leaves behind a wife and a four year old daughter.