Geiger work crew inmate escapes at the Spokane County Fair

Geiger Corrections Center inmate Robert E. Reed, 46, walked away from a work crew at the Spokane County Fairgrounds around 2 p.m. today. Reed was booked into jail on a charge of third-degree driving with a suspended license on Aug. 29 and joined the work crew on Aug. 31, said Spokane County Jail Lt. Mike Sparber. A corrections deputy accompanying the work crew noticed that Reed was missing and launched a search, Sparber said. “One of the gate attendants said they saw him walking through the gate,” he said. Reed apparently removed his maroon top and safety vest that identified him as an inmate. He was last seen leaving the fair wearing a white t-shirt and blue pants. He is described as a white male with brown hair and brown eyes about six feet tall. Reed has a lengthy criminal history dating back to 1997 that includes six previous convictions for driving with a suspended license as well as convictions for theft, domestic violence assault, protection order violations, robbery, burglary, possession of stolen property and giving a false statement to a public servant. His most recent conviction was in June for fourth-degree assault.