The Delaware Department of Correction is searching for an inmate who was in prison for impersonating a police officer.
On Friday officials said that Shane Windell willfully walked away from the Sussex Community Corrections Center (SCCC) in Georgetown on September 5, 2024, after failing to return from an approved work pass.
Windell, described as a white male standing 6 feet tall and weighing 160 pounds, was last known to reside in Wilmington. He has brown eyes and brown hair. Windell’s current offense is related to impersonation of a public official, an incident that has roots in 2019.
In June of 2019, firefighters from Mill Creek Fire Company were dispatched to a residence in the Limestone Terrace community for what turned out to be a false fire report. Upon arrival, authorities discovered that they had been repeatedly dispatched to the same location for similar false alarms.
Windell was seen exiting a vehicle wearing a police-style tactical vest, badge, and holstered firearm by witnesses at the scene. Police later located the vehicle, a blue 2010 Chevy Cobalt, and found the tactical vest inside.
Authorities identified Windell as a person of interest in the case and later charged him. Court records show that Windell was scheduled to be released in February of 2025.
Officials said his whereabouts remain unknown and unauthorized at this time, and a warrant for his arrest has been issued for Escape after Conviction.