Inmate That Used Picnic Table to Escape Stark Regional Community Correction Center Arrested by U.S. Marshals in Canton

Canton, OH – The U.S. Marshals led Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force (NOVFTF) in Canton, OH arrested Ashley Helmick (27) earlier today on charges of escape from the Canton Police Department, stemming from an incident that occurred at the Stark Regional Community Correction Center.

It is alleged that on August 10, 2023, Helmick used a picnic table to climb a fence and then scaled the roof to ultimately escape from Stark Regional Community Correction Center. On July 19, 2023, Helmick was court ordered to enter and successfully complete the residential program at Stark Regional Community Correction Center. Helmick was admitted on August 7, and was only in the program a total of three days before escaping the confines of the correction center.

The NOVFTF and the Stark Regional Community Correction Center began investigating Helmick’s whereabouts in the Canton, OH area immediately following the escape. The NOVFTF was able to locate and arrest Helmick today at an address in the 400 block of Hazlett Ave NW, Canton, OH.

U.S. Marshal Pete Elliott stated, “The strong partnership between the U.S. Marshals Service and the Stark Regional Community Correction Center resulted in the arrest today. We will continue to build upon our strong relationship, to make the communities we serve a safer place to live. Without this partnership and our dedicated officers, an escaped fugitive would still be on the streets of Stark County.”

Anyone with information concerning a wanted fugitive can contact the Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force at 1-866-4WANTED (1-866-492-6833), or you can submit a web tip. Reward money is available, and tipsters may remain anonymous. Follow the U.S. Marshals on Twitter @USMSCleveland.  

The NOVFTF Canton Division consists of the following federal, state and local agencies: United States Marshals Service, United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Ohio State Highway Patrol, Stark County Sheriff’s Office, Canton Police Department, Carrollton Police Department, Holmes County Sheriff’s Office, North Canton Police Department, Ohio Adult Parole Authority, Perry Township Police Department, Stark County Park District, and Stark County Probation.