5 are in custody after authorities in Dade County say they played a game of hide and seek for a wanted fugitive who was hiding behind a false wall.
They were on the hunt for James Janow, Jr. A post on the Dade County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page says that on Thursday, Sheriff Ray Cross and a sergeant spotted the suspect’s vehicle parked outside a home on Highway 299.
While they waited for backup, authorities say Janow tried to get away, leading officers on a chase before returning to his home.
Detectives obtained a search warrant after confirming Janow had not escaped into the surrounding woods. Using a thermal imaging camera provided by Dade EMA Director Alex Case, officers located Janow concealed behind a mirror in a closet.
Janow was arrested on 4 warrants in Dade County and a warrant out of Hamilton County. He faces charges of possession of fentanyl, a Schedule 2 narcotic, and obstruction of law enforcement.
April Millard of Sequatchie, Tennessee, was also arrested for possession of a Schedule 2 narcotic, a Jackson County, Alabama warrant, and hindering the apprehension of a fugitive.
Also, Kimla Tolbert and James Janow Sr., both of Wildwood, and James Janow III of Virginia Beach, Virginia, were charged with hindering the apprehension of a fugitive.
