Extradition Begins for Burglary Suspect Who Escaped Johnston Custody

The extradition of a 19-year-old who on Friday night began Monday morning.

Johnston Police Lt. Lynn Aswegan said it did not appear Conor Jack Forest would fight extradition from Illinois back to the Polk County area.

Forest was apprehended on Saturday evening at a relative's home in Wauconda, IL. He was being held in Illinois on charges including theft, burglary and escape.

Meanwhile, the investigation into the escape that took place at 10:30 p.m. on Friday continues. 

officials first arrested Forest Friday night in connection with an in the 9100 block of Northwest 72nd Circle Thursday afternoon.

"We had two officers that took Forest into custody and brought him to the police station," Aswegan said. "They were working with a Dallas County investigator to talk to him about the activity that Dallas (County authorities) believes he's responsible for in that area."

Forest is also a suspect in several residential burglaries that occurred in Polk, Dallas, Jasper, Warren and Poweshiek counties.

While it's unclear how many officers were in the station at the time of Forest's escape, Aswegan said there were two Johnston investigators and a Dallas County investigator present.

Forest escaped from a back interview room; he was not handcuffed at the time.

The escape highlights the department's inefficient facility, Aswegan said.

"Primarily, we look at it as we have this facility here that is not adequate for detaining people. We are aware of that, and as a result we have to be on our guard," Aswegan said. "We have a facility that is not adequate for that containment, but it's what we have to work with. Our officers need to be alert, attentive and on guard."

In August, residents answered the call for a by approving a $14 million referendum to build a public safety building and fire station annex. The public safety building is expected to open in late 2013 or early 2014.

"It was a combination of the building and our officers letting their guard down," Aswegan said. "The building is nothing new. We can't blame it all on the building."

However, Aswegan said the investigators were entering their 16th hour of duty on Friday evening.

"We reiterate the need for a new building, but there is still a breakdown in officer procedure," he said.

While Aswegan continues the investigation into the escape, he will also look internally at the investigators' conduct at the time.

"Depending on the results, if we are able to find out there might be some internal action taken, but at this point it's too early to determine," he said. "We're certainly not making excuses, the investigators do an outstanding job."