Epic Fail – Man Tries To Escape From Courthouse

Xavier Vance Hightower, 19 of Pacoima California, was taken into custody today by Beaver County Sheriff’s Deputies after he made a desperate attempt to escape from the courthouse.

Hightower was scheduled to go on trial today on charges stemming from a June 5th 2011 incident, where he is alleged to have stabbed a 17 year old boy five times in the back. Hightower was reportedly staying in Baden after posting a $20,000 bond in the case.

On Sunday, New Sewickley Township police charged Hightower with aggravated assault for his role in an alleged home invasion which occurred on Sunday morning — In that incident, two brothers were pistol-whipped with handguns, according to police.

When Hightower arrived at court today, defense attorney Dirk Goodwald informed him there was an active warrant for his arrest. Two sheriff’s deputies were attempting to take Hightower into custody, when he took off running.

The man was seen running down a second floor hallway by Courtroom 3, past courtrooms 4 and 5 toward the courthouse’s rotunda. Sheriff’s Deputies John Cumberledge and Mike Tibolet chased after Hightower, who then leapt over a banister by the stairs. The deputies grabbed Hightower by his shirt, but the man slipped out of it.

“I heard a loud scuffle, I looked up and I see his feet dangling from the second floor” said courthouse receptionist Candy Stevenson. “The next thing I know, he falls down to the first floor shirtless, landing on his feet.”

Deputy Aaron Ogrizovich, who was stationed at the courthouse doors, was waiting for him when he landed. Ogrizovich, and about a half dozen other deputies, secured Hightower and took him into custody.

“As you can imagine, I see some pretty good stuff around here” said Stevenson. “But that was the best so far.”

Xavier Hightower is currently in the Beaver County Jail, after failing to post a $40,000 bond set by Magisterial District Judge Janet Swihart this afternoon.

Judge Richard Mancini continued Hightower’s trial following the incident.

“None of my men were hurt, and the man we took into custody wasn’t hurt” said Beaver County Sheriff George David. “We’re a well oiled machine.”

Video: Surveillance footage from the courthouse, along with cellphone camera footage by the Beaver Countian.