Inmate Attempts to Escape From County Jail

Deputies caught a Pinellas County Jail inmate in his cell ceiling attempting to escape on Sunday, officials said.

Detention deputies found 26-year-old Ryan P. MacInnis of Largo in his cell ceiling compartment, which held water pipes and air conditioning conduits, shortly after he was booked.

According to officials, MacInnis was uncooperative during the booking process. He was placed in a Marchman holding area, primarily for impaired inmates, about 4:47 a.m.

Minutes after being placed in the cell, MacInnis covered the surveillance camera lens with wet toilet paper, then stood on the toilet and removed an access panel to a ceiling, officials said. 

MacInnis would not have been able to escape through the ceiling because it is enclosed, officials said.

MacInnis denied trying to escape, officials said.

He was charged with attempted escape, battery on a law enforcement officer, resisting arrest with violence, loitering and prowling and fugitive burglary on a warrant from Connecticut.

The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office is reviewing the incident.