LOGAN — Cache County Sheriff’s deputies are asking for the public’s help locating a 49-year-old Richmond man that ran away for jail program. Derek Parkinson has been missing since Friday.
Sheriff’s Lt. Doyle Peck said Parkinson was recently allowed into the jail’s work-release program. It gives inmates the chance to work, so they will have some financial funds when they complete their sentences. The suspect reportedly left Friday morning with the other inmates, but failed to return later that night.
“We have several leads that we are following up on,” Peck said. “Right now, we are just trying to see if we can’t find him, to bring him back and then he’ll have additional charges based on his absconsion.”
In September, Parkinson was sentenced to serve 50 more days in jail, after admitting to causing a fire that destroyed a garage and damaged his grandmother’s home. He was also granted work and counseling release, to allow him to keep a manufacturing job that he had in Cove.
Peck said deputies suspect Parkinson is driving a black Volkswagen Jetta. They have several tips that lead them to believe he is still in the county.
“Obviously, this is one of those things where in his case, we do want him back in jail as much for his safety as the public’s.”
Deputies are asking that if anyone has knowledge of Parkinson’s whereabouts, they contact Cache Dispatch at 435-753-7555.