Newest sheriff’s office K-9s catch escapee

The Clark County Sheriff’s Office’s newest K-9s helped track and catch an inmate Thursday who escaped the Clark County Jail Work Center.

The sheriff’s office said Cory V. Cunningham, 44, climbed over a fence at the work center, 5197 N.W. Lower River Road, around 2:30 p.m. Thursday, then fled toward the Port of Vancouver.

Deputy Eric Cramer, with Apollo, and deputy Erik Dunham, with Gus, responded to track Cunningham about 45 minutes later.

The sheriff’s office said Apollo found Cunningham about 100 yards away from where he was last spotted. He had buried himself under sand in some thick brush, obscuring him to human eyes and noses.

Cunningham was hurt, and taken to a hospital for treatment before being brought to jail.

Gus and Apollo recently finished their training, and were sworn in Aug. 1.

Jail records show Cunningham was in jail for pending and old charges of violating domestic violence-related court orders.

The sheriff’s office said he’s now being held pending new charges related to the escape.